Karnataka's ODF Status Challenged by Ground Reality in Chikodi Taluk
A recent comprehensive survey conducted in Chikodi taluk of Belagavi district has exposed significant discrepancies between Karnataka's official open defecation free (ODF) declarations and the actual sanitation situation on the ground. The study, titled 'Beyond ODF Declarations', reveals alarming gaps in sanitation access, particularly affecting Scheduled Caste (SC) communities.
Survey Reveals Stark Disconnect in Marginalized Communities
ActionAid Karnataka conducted the survey in February 2026 across 13 villages of Chikodi taluk, collecting responses from 390 SC households. The findings present a troubling picture: nearly 50% of SC households lack access to functional toilets. This forces many residents, especially vulnerable groups including women, elderly individuals, and children, to resort to open defecation or depend on poorly maintained public facilities.
The survey underscores a profound disconnect between official ODF declarations and the lived reality in marginalized communities where safe, functional sanitation remains inadequate. This raises serious questions about the sustainability and inclusiveness of Karnataka's ODF claims.
Critical Shortages in Public Sanitation Infrastructure
The study highlights severe deficiencies in public sanitation facilities across the surveyed region. Six villages—Karagaon, Donawad, Kungatoli, Mugali, Bambalwad, and Hanchinal—have no public toilets whatsoever. In villages where such facilities exist, many remain unusable due to multiple factors:
- Lack of reliable water connections
- Poor maintenance and cleaning
- Unhygienic conditions making them unsuitable for use
Water scarcity further compounds the sanitation crisis in villages like Ankali, Mugali, and Kungatoli, where tap water is available only once every four days. Approximately 21% of respondents reported that stored household water is insufficient for toilet use, rendering even available household toilets ineffective.
Gender-Specific Challenges and Health Implications
The survey reveals particularly concerning gender dimensions of the sanitation crisis. Nearly 74% of respondents confirmed that women in their villages continue to practice open defecation, often waiting until early morning or late night hours to maintain privacy. This practice not only compromises their dignity but also exposes them to significant health risks and potential physical danger.
Menstrual hygiene presents additional complications, as women reported being unable to use public toilets due to unhygienic conditions and water shortages. Notably, in villages where functional toilets are available, women overwhelmingly prefer using them, indicating that lack of access, not behavioral resistance, constitutes the primary challenge.
Structural and Informational Barriers to Sanitation Access
The study identifies multiple structural and informational barriers preventing adequate sanitation access:
- Space constraints: Nearly 66% of households live in dwellings smaller than 600 square feet, limiting space for toilet construction
- Population pressure: Over 84% of households have four or more members, increasing sanitation demands
- Awareness gaps: 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
Recommendations for Inclusive Sanitation Governance
The report calls for a fundamental shift from symbolic declarations to inclusive sanitation governance, recommending several immediate actions:
- Construction of functional public toilets with assured water supply
- Priority funding allocation for SC households
- Mandatory sanitation provisions in all new housing developments
- Regular maintenance and monitoring at the gram panchayat level
Raghavendra Pachhapur, senior lead projects at ActionAid, confirmed that 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.
The findings reiterate that sanitation extends beyond mere infrastructure—it encompasses public health, safety, and human dignity. As Karnataka advances its ODF-plus agenda, this study serves as a crucial reminder that achieving genuine sanitation coverage requires ensuring every citizen can access and safely use a toilet, rather than merely declaring success on paper.
