Two probationer IAS officers take up challenge of making two Delhi slums Swacch

NEW DELHI: In a first of its kind project, two probationer IAS officers of Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territory (AGMUT) cadre have taken up the tough task of bringing “behavioural change” in people living in two big slum colonies in R K Puram against open defecation within six months.
The project was identified by urban development ministry considering high incidence of open defecation in the vicinity of Ekta Vihar and Sonia Camp, which houses nearly 4,900 families.These slum blocks are located opposite Nivedita Kunj, which houses top bureaucrats of central government.
“We visited the slums and talked to people. We found that many of them have no big reason for not using toilets. There is inadequate infrastructure and they don’t hesitate to go to the open for defecation,” said Ira Singhal, topper of 2014 civil services examination. The other IAS probationer Ankita Anand is also from the same batch.
While Ira lives in Safdarjung Enclave in South Delhi, Ankita stays in R K Puram. The urban development ministry has roped in HelpAge India for this project.
“It’s our city and in the middle of India’s national capital, we have such a case of bad practice by a large section of people. So, we decided to take up this project. We wanted to do something that will have impact on people’s lives,” Ankita told TOI.
The two officers said that during their survey they found that nearly a dozen toilets built by the municipal body inside these colonies are less used as these have their roofs missing. They added now work has started and these will be completed in less than a fortnight. Moreover, a few more toilets are being built which the residents can use.
Making a beginning in their effort to bring in behavioural change, a healthcare van has started visiting the colonies every Saturday. This is not only used for providing free medicines but also to make people aware about the importance of good hygiene.
“Once the toilet infrastructure is built, we will have a major triggering programme after carrying out a complete cleanliness drive in the area so that people feel the difference. All blocked drains will be cleaned and we will try to motivate people for community cleaning to sustain this effort,” said Ira.
The two officers want to complete the project in six months. But they said they will stay connected to the project as during their career as bureaucrats they will get more chances to serve Delhi.