New Delhi: Union Jal Shakti minister, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Wednesday (August 14) launched the Swachh Survekshan Grameen 2019 survey, which will be three times bigger in scale than the previous editions.

Around 700 districts and 17,475 villages will be covered under the survey to be conducted in 34 states and union territories.

In 2018, around 6,000 villages were covered under it.

The exercise intends to stimulate stakeholders' behavioural change towards improved sanitation, Shekhawat said.

According to reports, more than 80,000 public places would be visited for the survey of Swachh Survekshan Grameen 2019. Places such as schools, anganwadis, health centres, community toilets, markets and religious places will be visited for the survey. 

It is alleged that more than 2,50,000 people would be interviewed for their feedback on cleanliness issues. People are also welcomed to provide feedback online using a mobile app, and IVRS developed for the purpose. 

The field survey will rank states and districts based on sanitation level, and this will be conducted in a span of 45 days at over 87,000 public places. Five public areas in each village will be surveyed under the exercise that will conclude on September 30.