After winning the cleanest city tag for two years in a row, Mysuru has notched up another honour for itself. It has now been declared the first city with a population of more than one million to be free of open defecation.
The honour follows from a survey commissioned by the Union Ministry of Urban Development was and conducted by the Quality Council of India (QCI) across 75 cities, 53 of which have a population of more than one million, reported The Times of India.
The survey, titled Swachh Survekshan, is the first of its kind conducted in the country, and examined cities for cleanliness, hygiene and sanitation.
Mysuru City Corporation authorities will receive an award for the achievement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a Swachh Bharat Saptah programme in New Delhi on September 30.
Officers of the Union ministry of urban development will also be awarding certification to the corporation officials at an event in Mysuru on Tuesday.
Mayor BL Byrappa said in a news conference that QCI had a difficult time between Mysuru and Vijayawada. “But finally we scored over them. We are not aware what exactly favoured us,” he said.
The mayor said that nearly 99% of households in Mysuru have toilets. This also includes the 28 slums in the city, reported TOI.
However, while the Mysuru authorities announced the honour at a news conference, it seems they are yet to receive official communication from the government of India. “We have not received any formal communication in the regard. Their (QCI) teams had come for the survey, but final ranking and scoring has not yet been conveyed. We are still awaiting final validation,” said, R Vishal, Director of the Directorate of Municipal Administration.