Sanitation gaps persist in SC households despite ODF status in Belagavi district

Pic: A defunct women's public toilet at Nagaramunnoli does not have a functioning water connectionelagavi: Even as Karnataka continues to be projected as an open defecation free (ODF) state, a recent ground-level survey in Chikodi taluk of Belagavi district has exposed significant gaps in sanitation access, particularly among Scheduled Caste (SC) households, raising serious concerns about the sustainability and inclusiveness of ODF claims.The survey, titled ‘Beyond ODF Declarations', conducted by ActionAid Karnataka in Feb 2026 in 13 villages of Chikodi taluk, reveals that nearly 50% of SC households lack access to toilets. As a result, many residents, especially women, the elderly and children, are compelled to practise open defecation or depend on poorly maintained or defunct public toilets.Based on responses from the 390 SC households, the survey underscores a stark disconnect between official ODF declarations and the on-ground reality, particularly in marginalised communities where access to safe and functional sanitation remains inadequate.The striking findings relate to the condition of public sanitation facilities, says six villages — Karagaon, Donawad, Kungatoli, Mugali, Bambalwad and Hanchinal — have no public toilets at all. In villages where such facilities exist, many are unusable due to a lack of water, poor maintenance and unhygienic conditions.Water scarcity further aggravates the situation in the villages such as Ankali, Mugali and Kungatoli. These villages receive tap water only once every four days. Around 21% of respondents reported that the water stored at home is insufficient for toilet use, rendering even available household toilets ineffective.According to the survey, nearly 74% of respondents said women in their villages continue to defecate in the open, often waiting until early morning or late at night to maintain privacy. This not only compromises their dignity but also exposes them to health risks and potential physical danger.Menstrual hygiene further complicates matters, as women reported being unable to use public toilets due to unhygienic conditions and lack of water. Notably, in villages where functional toilets are available, women overwhelmingly prefer using them, indicating that lack of access, not behavioural resistance, is the primary challenge.The study also highlights structural and informational barriers. Nearly 66% of households live in dwellings smaller than 600sqft, limiting space for toilet construction, while over 84% have four or more members, increasing sanitation pressure. Additionally, due to a lack of awareness, less than half of respondents are familiar with the Swachh Bharat Mission, and over 50% are unaware of subsidies available under the SC/ST sub-plan.Calling for a shift from symbolic declarations to inclusive sanitation governance, the report recommends immediate construction of functional public toilets, assured water supply, priority funding for SC households, mandatory sanitation provisions in new housing, and regular maintenance with monitoring at the gram panchayat level.The findings reiterate that sanitation is not merely about infrastructure but about public health, safety and dignity. As Karnataka advances its ODF-plus agenda, the study serves as a reminder that achieving genuine sanitation coverage requires ensuring that every citizen can access and safely use a toilet — not just declaring success on paper.Raghavendra Pachhapur, senior lead projects at ActionAid, said the survey report has been submitted to Randeep, secretary of the rural development and panchayat raj department. ActionAid works across India to advance the rights of people living in poverty and exclusion.