PUDUCHERRY: Lt Governor Kiran Bedi on Wednesday said her government would give more thrust on implementing the Swachh Bharat Mission to achieve the twin objectives of attaining the open defecation-free status for Puducherry and launching efficient solid waste management scheme involving people at the grass root level.“My government has embarked on a self-target of October 2, 2017 to achieve open defecation-free status. The solid waste management also encompasses the system of waste to energy, which would make Puducherry a clean and green territory. My government would provide all the necessary support to make this mission a successful one,” she said while delivering her customary address in the legislative assembly of the Union territory marking the commencement of the budget session.Bedi sought to give “an image makeover to Union territory” by streamlining garbage collection, cleaning of tanks, drains and sewage in a mission mode.“I propose that the government focus on Swachh Bharat so that Puducherry can become the first open defecation-free state or Union territory in the entire country,” she said.Bedi said the government would formulate and submit smart city proposal for the Puducherry municipality to the Union urban ministry in the next round of the smart cities mission.The government has nominated the Puducherry municipality in lieu of the Oulgaret municipality to develop Puducherry as tourism and heritage city.The Oulgaret municipality, which was nominated as one of the 100 smart cities under the mission during 2015-16, could not make it to the final list.She said Puducherry and Oulgaret municipalities have been included under ‘Atal mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation’ (Amrut) scheme.Bedi said the Union tourism ministry sanctioned Rs 85.28 crore to develop Puducherry as tourist circuit under the Swadesh Darshan scheme on ‘coastal circuit’ theme and released 20% amounting to Rs 17.06 crore for launching four projects.The projects include development of seven beaches in Puducherry as tourist destinations, restoration, conservation and illumination of heritage structures, formation of wooden walkway in Yanam and strengthening of online content to attract more tourists into the territory.She said the government aimed at reducing road accidents by at least 50% over the next five years (by 2020) and maintaining ‘zero growth level’ thereafter through improved behavioural changes in road users.The government has constituted a road safety fund after notifying the road safety policy in an effort to ensure accident-free and mobility-safe Puducherry.The government would establish one more regional transport office at Kattukuppam to extend the services of the transport department to the people in Bahour taluk.