Lucknow, Oct 4 (IANS): Uttar Pradesh has been ranked first in the "Swacchta Hi Sewa" campaign of the central government, an official said on Wednesday.

The feat was achieved by the state by constructing 3,52,950 toilets between September 15 and October 2 this year in the "Swacchta Hi Sewa" campaign.

Of the 18,24,549 built toilets across the country, Uttar Pradesh got first place by constructing 3,52,950 toilets.

Rajasthan stood second by constructing 2,54,953 toilets and Karnataka, with the construction of 2,41,708 toilets, secured third position in the country.

Sahanpur Nagar Panchayat of Bijnore district in Uttar Pradesh was declared the first open defecation free (ODF) panchayat by the government in September and now, a request has been made to the central government to also declare 12 Nagar Panchayats and city corporations of the state ODF, the official told IANS.

These Nagar Panchayats and city municipal corporations include Bijnore, Nazibabad, Syohara, Dhampur, Kirathpur, Zalalabad, Nagina, Swamibagh of Agra, Amroha local corporation and Thana Bhawan, Jalalabad of district Shamli in western Uttar Pradesh.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Rajive Kumar said officials in the remaining local municipal corporations and panchayats have been asked to expedite work on construction of toilets to ensure they are ODF by May, 2019.

Additional Chief Secretary Chanchal Kumar Tiwari said 12,542 villages in Uttar Pradesh of the total 98,604 have been declared ODF and necessary action has been ensured to declare the remaining villages ODF soon.