Explanation: The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, launched in 2014, is a nationwide campaign aimed at eliminating open defecation and improving solid waste management in India. The campaign has been particularly focused on urban areas, where the population density and the challenges of sanitation are more pronounced. One of the key achievements of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is the declaration of cities as open defecation free (ODF).
To be declared ODF, a city must meet specific criteria set by the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation. These criteria include the construction of sufficient toilets, the provision of solid and liquid waste management systems, and the behavior change of the population to use these facilities. The declaration of a city as ODF is a significant milestone, indicating that the city has successfully addressed the issue of open defecation, which is a major public health concern.
Among the major cities in India with a population over 1 crore, Mumbai was the first to achieve the status of ODF. This achievement is noteworthy because Mumbai, being one of the most populous cities in India, faces significant challenges in terms of sanitation and public health. The success in Mumbai demonstrates the potential for other major cities to follow suit and achieve similar milestones.
The other cities mentioned in the options—Hyderabad, Chennai, and Kolkata—have also made significant progress in sanitation. However, they have not been declared as the first major city with over 1 crore population to attain the status of open defecation free. The misconception might arise from the general progress in sanitation across major cities, leading to confusion about which city achieved this milestone first.
In conclusion, the correct answer is Mumbai, as it was the first major city with over 1 crore population to be declared open defecation free under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. This achievement highlights the importance of comprehensive sanitation programs and the potential for significant improvements in public health through such initiatives.