In the latest edition of the Swachh Survekshan Awards 2023, Indore and Surat emerged as the joint cleanest cities in India. President Draupadi Murmu presented the prestigious awards, recognizing the outstanding efforts in maintaining cleanliness and sanitation standards. This marks the seventh consecutive win for Indore, solidifying its reputation as the cleanest city in the country.
Recognizing Excellence in Urban Cleanliness
The Swachh Survekshan Awards aim to celebrate and encourage excellence in urban cleanliness and sanitation. This year’s edition saw Saswad in Maharashtra receiving the cleanest city award for urban centers with a population of less than 1 lakh. Notably, this reflects a commitment to cleanliness in smaller cities, with Patan in Chattisgarh and Lonavla in Maharashtra securing the second and third positions in this category.
Navi Mumbai, maintaining its high standards, retained its third position from the previous year’s awards. In a testament to its cleanliness efforts, MHOW Cantonment Board in Madhya Pradesh earned the title of the cleanest cantonment town.
Awards Across Different Categories
The diversity of the awards showcased the commitment of various cities and towns to cleanliness. Varanasi and Prayagraj were recognized as the cleanest Ganga Towns, emphasizing the importance of preserving water bodies and promoting sanitation along riverbanks.
Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, Hardeep Singh Puri, and Secretary Manoj Joshi presided over the award ceremony, applauding the cities for their dedication to cleanliness.
Swachh Survekshan: A Driving Force for Change
Conducted by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) under the Swachh Bharat Urban Mission, Swachh Survekshan has evolved into the world’s largest urban sanitation and cleanliness survey since its inception in 2016. The survey functions as a competition, motivating towns and cities to enhance cleanliness and waste management services.
This year marked the eighth edition of the survey, with over 3,000 assessors evaluating more than 4,500 cities based on 46 indicators. These indicators include crucial aspects such as segregated door-to-door waste collection, hosting zero waste events, providing disabled-friendly toilets, and implementing improved plastic waste management practices.
Conclusion: A Collective Effort Towards a Cleaner Tomorrow
Swachh Survekshan goes beyond recognizing individual achievements; it underscores the significance of collective efforts in creating cleaner and more sustainable living spaces. As cities and towns strive for excellence in cleanliness, the awards serve as a motivating force, encouraging citizen participation and fostering awareness about the crucial role each individual plays in building a cleaner and healthier environment. Indore and Surat’s joint triumph reinforces the idea that sustained dedication and community engagement pave the way for a brighter, cleaner tomorrow.