The number of people in rural India, who are defecating in open has now come down to 25 crore as against 55 crore in 2014. <br/><br/>Briefing reporters in New Delhi today, Drinking water and Sanitation Minister Uma Bharti said, Swachh Bharat Mission is the largest behavioural change programme ever attempted. <br/><br/>She said, the country is witnessing a sanitation revolution and nine states have been declared Open Defecation Free (ODF). She said, 15 more states will be declared ODF by next month. <br/><br/>Ms Bharti said, the rural sanitation coverage has been increased to 78.55 per cent from 38 per cent in 2014. The Minister said, community-based rural drinking water programme will be launched at Uttarkashi in Uttrakhand on the 20th of this month. <br/><br/>The programme will enable rural communities to own, plan, implement and monitor water consumption on a sustainable basis.