Swachh Survekshan 2024: State secures just 1 award, It was 2 last year
Dehradun, once the cleanest city in Uttarakhand, slipped to 13th position statewide. Its door-to-door waste collection dropped drastically from 96.5% to 48%, and waste processing fell from 78.5% to 27%. Dr Avinash Khanna, chief health officer, Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC), acknowledged the need for urgent improvements in waste collection, source segregation, waste processing and garbage hotspot management.
In contrast, Lalkuan in Nainital district earned the state-level "Promising Clean City" award for the first time, signalling rapid progress among smaller towns. Officials highlighted that Swachh Survekshan's inclusive approach allows smaller municipalities to gain recognition and motivates further sanitation investment.
Among cantonment boards, most showed slight ranking improvements except Landour, which slipped from 30th to 50th, underscoring growing waste issues in the tourist town.
Nainital improved from 61st to 52nd.
Statewide data revealed a decline in average door-to-door waste collection to 56.6% from 69.7%, though source segregation rose sharply from 17% to 49%, and waste processing increased from 26.5% to 40.5%.
Anoop Nautiyal, founder of NGO Social Development for Communities (SDC) Foundation, criticised state's stagnant performance after a decade of Swachh Bharat Mission, calling it "a result of systemic apathy and lack of political priority."
He advocated a dedicated waste management commission (WMC) to oversee complex multi-stream waste challenges intensified by the state's heavy pilgrim and tourist influx.
Rudrapur emerged as a standout performer, jumping from 417th to 68th nationally and ranking first among Uttarakhand's municipal corporations. Mayor Vikas Sharma credited teamwork, awareness campaigns and improved waste management for the progress.
He said that initiatives like door-to-door garbage collection, awareness drives, technological upgrades, solid waste management and continuous monitoring played a crucial role in improving rankings.
Municipal commissioner Naresh Durgapal said, "This success comes from teamwork, strategy, and public involvement. Previous accolades aside, this national recognition shows we're on the right path."
Haridwar and Rishikesh showed declines.
Haridwar's rank dropped from 4th to 18th among Ganga towns, with door-to-door collection falling from 93% to 70%, and source segregation from 30% to 7%. B D Joshi, an environmentalist, blamed municipal indifference and overwhelming tourist-generated waste.
Municipal commissioner of Rishikesh, Gopal Ram Binwal, said, "Our performance declined in door-to-door waste collection and source segregation due to ongoing construction of our waste disposal plant.
We're analysing the results and will take corrective steps."
Bageshwar improved to 1,007th nationally from 3,961st, but residents remain dissatisfied, citing persistent litter and sanitation issues. Environmental activist Kishan Singh Malra said, "We cannot rely solely on the municipal body. People need to become more aware and proactive in keeping their surroundings clean."
Municipal executive officer Mohammad Yameen acknowledged both challenges and progress made.
"Our goal now is to reach the top 100."
Overall, Lalkuan, Rudrapur, Mussoorie, Doiwala and Pithoragarh were the cleanest cities, while Ghansali, Padli Gujjar, Rampur, Piran Kaliyar and Nainital Cantonment were the dirtiest.
Swachh Survekshan 2024–25 awards recognised top cities across five population segments, from over 10 lakh to under 20,000 residents. Graded out of 12,500 marks, the survey involved 14 crore citizens. This year, 78 awards were given across four categories. Starting with 73 ULBs in 2016, the survey now covers over 4,500 cities, focusing on the theme "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle", using 10 parameters and 54 indicators.
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