In Mizoram, all 23 urban towns have taken initiatives to achieve ODF plus. These 23 urban towns were declared as Open Defecation Free (ODF) by the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs in 2017. <br />'' <br />''Presently, to become ODF-Plus, all 23 urban authorities are executing initiatives through refurbishment and renovation of the already existing toilets and improved construction of new toilets.<br />'' <br />''The state urban development department has taken steps to ensure that no households engage in the practice of open defecation and Pit latrines are converted into sanitary latrines.<br />'' <br />''Officials said that in the category of Individual Household Latrines, works are presently going on for construction of 10,782 household latrines as against the target of 13,942.<br />'' <br />''Also, 325 community toilets have been constructed in low income and informal settlements including slums in these towns as against the target of 587 during 2019-20.<br />'' <br />''Talking to AIR News, the urban development officer Mrs Vanthangpuii shared about the developments in ODF-plus initiative in Serchhip district.<br />'' <br />''She said that the initiative to achieve the ODF plus began in September last year and all government offices, village Councils, NGOs, Institutions, Self Help Groups and the general public have joined in the movement.<br />'' <br />''She said that 16 community toilets, 5 public bath-place and 1,181 household latrines have been built up.<br />'' <br />''<span style="color: #222222;">She further said works on renovation of the existing public toilets and latrines are also going on at a fast pace.</span><br />