Latest news with #SwachhSurvekshan
Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Swachh Survekshan 2024: After dismal 219 rank, Panchkula turns to Indore to clean up its act
Following a decline in the Swachh Survekshan 2024 ranking, the Panchkula municipal corporation (MC) is set to implement cleanliness models of Indore and of four other top-performing urban cities in the country. A senior MC officer confirmed that detailed reports from these cities have been requested to guide their new strategies. An MC official acknowledged that data collection for the assessment was flawed, with public questionnaires on cleanliness not accurately recorded. (Sant Arora/HT) Panchkula's ranking plummeted to 219th this time from 139th in 2023, as released by the Union ministry of housing and urban affairs. The MC is currently awaiting its detailed score breakdown from the Swachh Survekshan assessment to pinpoint specific areas for improvement. An MC official acknowledged that data collection for the assessment was flawed, with public questionnaires on cleanliness not accurately recorded. 'A significant 1,200 marks were directly deducted due to the absence of a waste-processing plant. Insufficient social media publicity for Swachh Survekshan also contributed to the low score,' the MC official added. Swachh Survekshan 2024: After dismal 219 rank, Panchkula turns to Indore to clean up its act Despite the numerical drop, an officer offered a nuanced perspective. The officer explained that in 2023, the city competed against 446 cities in the 1-3 lakh population category. This year, it was in the 50,000-3 lakh population category with 824 competing cities. Despite this increased competition, Panchkula secured 10% more marks (8,008 out of 12,500) compared to last year's 5,224 out of 9,500, suggesting an underlying improvement in performance. Major setback in waste collection and processing In the Swachh Survekshan, Panchkula had major setbacks under various categories. Report shows that door-to-door waste collection sharply fell from 99% in 2023 to 61% in 2024 and source segregation in the city plunged from 61% to just 20%. Waste processing efficiency also plummeted from 98% to 51%. Public toilet cleanliness declined from a perfect 100% to 50%. Cleanliness of residential areas also saw a slight dip from 99% to 88%. Raising his concerns, SK Nayar, president of the Citizens' Welfare Association, criticised the MC's waste management. He stated that the door-to-door garbage collection service is unsatisfactory and doesn't cater to the needs of vulnerable groups like seniors, patients, and those residing on upper floors. Nayar highlighted that MC staff often mix segregated waste, undermining residents' efforts. He further expressed alarm over the condition of public toilets in markets and parks, describing them as frequently locked, dirty, broken, or lacking water. HSVP asks MC to take over cleanliness of more sectors In a related development, the Haryana Shehari Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) has formally requested the MC commissioner to accommodate its 32 employees and assume responsibility for the cleanliness of additional sectors, including those in the trans-Ghaggar area, Sector 31, and the MDC area. If the MC accepts this proposal, it could expand its cleanliness coverage. Presently, the sanitation work in these sectors is handled by HSVP. City ready for monsoon with cleaned drains, improved roads The Panchkula Metropolitan Development Authority (PMDA) has announced comprehensive measures to tackle monsoon waterlogging and enhance city infrastructure. PMDA CEO K Makarand Pandurang stated that all city drains have been thoroughly cleaned, including major stormwater channels and roadside drains. He said that significant progress has also been made on road repairs, with 28 out of 32 sanctioned outer roads covering 21.72 km already completed. Additionally, a master plan for the city's entire rainwater drainage system is underway, and projects to upgrade 11 major parks and 19 green belts with new amenities are progressing. The PMDA has approved projects worth ₹251.17 crore for these various initiatives.
The Hindu
14 hours ago
- General
- The Hindu
Takeaways from the Swachh Survekshan
Rankings and celebrations apart, the ninth edition of Swachh Survekshan, branded as the world's largest cleanliness survey, provides policy makers and city managers a reality check on urban sanitation and waste management, and a reliable database. The annual survey steered by Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM)-Urban had not only over 4,500 cities competing, compared to less than 100 in 2016, but was also backed by elaborate assessments and third party verification and further bolstered by feedback from 140 million city dwellers. From segregation, collection, transportation, and management of waste to the welfare of sanitation workers and grievance redressal, the 10 parameters of the survey are comprehensive. The survey has emerged as an effective driver of competition and movement in city sanitation. It also provides a measure of the gaps in India's journey towards clean cities. Different population sizes The advent of Super Swachh League this year was an overdue twist to break the stalemate at the top of the rankings. Indore, Surat, and Navi Mumbai — all mascots of cleanliness for a while — entered this new space along with 20 other cities of different population sizes. Members of the League could create new benchmarks and compete among themselves while yielding space to new aspirants to enter clean city ranks. That is how Ahmedabad, Bhopal, and Lucknow could break into the top as India's cleanest cities this time in the million-plus category, with another 12 receiving ranks in their own population segments. Swachh Survekshan 2024-25 appeared focused on faster democratisation of city cleanliness. The expansion of population categories from two to five, starting from cities with a population of less than 20,000 to those with a million-plus population, provided a fairer platform for cities to perform. Those hitherto lagging are now catching up. Odisha is an example. Bhubaneswar moved up from the 34th to the 9th rank; small towns such as Aska and Chikiti worked their way to the top three clean cities in their categories; and mid-size cities including Rourkela, Cuttack, and Berhampur moved considerably upwards. These trends create hope that cleanliness is not a preserve of only certain States. Cities from the south are yet to make any big mark in the clean city show with Bengaluru being the least inspirational. Hyderabad, Tirupati, Vijayawada, Guntur, and Mysuru were the best in the region. The National Capital Region presents an interesting medley: while the New Delhi Municipal Council areas and Noida ranked best for meticulous sanitation implementation, Delhi, Gurugram, and Ghaziabad improved their ranks irrespective of the negative reports they received in the public domain. The clean city basket has grown larger since one promising clean city was picked up from each State based on its progress and potential. Once cities are positively stamped, they tend to stay in the aspirational course. Understood this way, the 78 Swachh awards given were not too many. Setting up the cleanest cities as mentors to the most underperforming ones could help in the proliferation of multiple good practices among urban local bodies (ULBs). While Indore is a veteran in segregating the last gram of waste into six buckets at source — dry, wet, domestic hazardous, plastic, sanitary and e-waste; Surat has been making good revenue by selling sewage-treated water. Pune's waste management is anchored on cooperatives formed by ragpickers. Visakhapatnam made an eco-park from remediated legacy waste site. Lucknow produced an iconic waste wonder park. The Kuberpur area in Agra, once a toxic dumpsite, transformed to 47 acres of green, by engaging bioremediation and biomining technologies. Tourist destinations and places of high footfall received special emphasis in the survey. Prayagraj was awarded in the category of Ganga towns, and special recognition was extended to the recent Maha Kumbh for its sanitation management. India accounts for less than 1.5% of international tourist arrivals. Cities need to do much more than an occasional cleanliness drive to enhance tourist experience. The theme this year The theme of 'reduce, reuse, and recycle (RRR)', advocated by the 2025 survey, carries the prospect of jobs, enterprise, and invigoration of self-help groups. The theme of the last survey was 'waste to wealth'. We are yet to raise the billions of rupees out of waste that is possible. For this, policy needs to better incentivise investors. Waste-to-energy plants are gaining traction but the private sector may be concerned about commercial viability. Citizens are yet to take meaningful action even though the RRR approach is entrenched in India's ancient traditions. While a universal resentment against open defecation has been achieved by SBM, a behaviour change movement fostering intolerance against waste and fighting against consumerism has been tough to initiate. As more cities get identified as hubs of growth, we must prioritise the management of 1.5 lakh tonnes of solid waste generated every day. A lot will depend on delivery at decentralised levels, especially by ULBs in enforcing segregation, collection, transport, and processing, including of the more challenging plastic and e-waste. The business of waste management in cities may look chaotic, but it remains possible. The rise of Surat from being a place of garbage three decades ago to the top place in the sanitation chart last year shows that this is a possibility in all cities in India. Akshay Rout, Former Director General, Swachh Bharat Mission.
Mint
a day ago
- General
- Mint
Meet Inderjit Singh Sidhu, retired DIG who cleans Chandigarh streets every morning at 87
At 87, when most choose rest and retirement, Inderjit Singh Sidhu chooses public service, with a broom and a garbage bag in hand. A retired Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Punjab Police, Sidhu superannuated in 1996. Nearly three decades later, he's still serving, this time, by cleaning up his neighbourhood in Chandigarh's Sector 49. Every morning at 6 am, Sidhu sets out to collect litter from the streets, disturbed by the daily sight of garbage piling up in the area. Sidhu, who lives in the IAS-IPS Officers' Cooperative Society, said he repeatedly complained to civic authorities, but no action followed. 'So I decided to do it myself,' he told ANI. 'There is no shame in cleaning. Cleanliness is next to godliness.' Sidhu, a 1964-batch IPS officer, now uses a bag or even an abandoned rickshaw to gather waste and dispose of it properly. What began as a solo effort has slowly turned into a neighbourhood movement: one that his family and fellow residents now support. While some initially called him 'crazy,' his quiet determination has changed minds. Upset that Chandigarh doesn't always top the Swachh Survekshan rankings, it came second in 2024-25, Sidhu says the 'City Beautiful' should aim for the number one spot. 'If you visit foreign countries, their streets are spotless. Why can't ours be the same?' he said. Though he calls his contribution a small one, Sidhu says it brings him deep satisfaction. 'I like a clean place, so I clean. I'll keep doing it as long as I can.' Industrialist Anand Mahindra, in his recent tweet, also praised Sidhu's powerful act of service. Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra wrote on X (formerly Twitter), 'He says he wasn't happy with the 'low rank' Chandigarh got in the Swachh Survekshan listing,' Mahindra posted. 'But instead of complaining, he chooses action...a quiet, persistent belief in a better doesn't retire. Service doesn't age.' He further added: 'Apparently, every morning at 6 am, in the quiet streets of Chandigarh's Sector 49, this 88-year-old retired police officer begins his day in service. Each piece of trash he clears is more than just litter removed. It's a statement… a belief in living with meaning, regardless of age or recognition.'
NDTV
a day ago
- General
- NDTV
Anand Mahindra Shares Video Of 88-Year-Old Retired Police Officer Cleaning Chandigarh Streets: "Salute"
Industrialist Anand Mahindra shared an inspiring video of 88-year-old retired IPS officer Inderjit Singh Sidhu, who is spearheading a cleanliness initiative in Chandigarh. The video shows Mr Sidhu pushing a cycle cart through the streets of Chandigarh's Sector 49, quietly collecting trash and keeping his community clean. Mr Sidhu, a 1964-batch IPS officer, starts his day at 6 am, selflessly collecting garbage without seeking praise or recognition, inspiring admiration from internet users. Mr Mahindra added that the ex-cop was motivated by Chandigarh's low ranking in the Swachh Survekshan listing, but instead of complaining, he took action. Sharing the video on X, Mr Mahindra said, 'Apparently, every morning at 6 AM, in the quiet streets of Chandigarh's Sector 49, this 88-year-old retired police officer begins his day in service. Armed with nothing but a cycle cart and an unwavering sense of duty, he moves slowly and purposefully, picking up rubbish from the roadside. He says he wasn't happy with the 'low rank' Chandigarh got in the Swachh Survekshan listing. But instead of complaining, he chooses action. Watch the video here: This clip which was shared with me is about Shri Inder Jit Singh Sidhu of Chandigarh. Apparently, every morning at 6 AM, in the quiet streets of Chandigarh's sector 49, this 88-year-old retired police officer begins his day in service. Armed with nothing but a cycle cart and… — anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) July 22, 2025 "Each piece of trash he clears is more than just litter removed. It's a statement. A quiet, persistent belief in a better world. A belief in living with meaning, regardless of age or recognition. In a world often obsessed with youth and speed, his slow but steady footsteps tell us that Purpose doesn't retire. Service doesn't age. A Salute to this quiet warrior of the streets," Mr Mahindra added. Social media users widely praised Mr Sidhu's dedication, hailing him as a true embodiment of the Swachh Bharat spirit. One user wrote, "Such a powerful example. Real change doesn't need power or position—just heart and consistency. Big respect to him." Another commented, "Setting an example! Urging everyone in Chandigarh to reach Sector 49 every morning to join him for one week and then continue in their surroundings! Can we have 80 Cr free ration people cleaning their surroundings as consideration." A third said, "He deserves to be the face of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan." A fourth added, "This moved me. 88 and still serving - not out of duty, but belief. No spotlight needed, just a cart and quiet resolve. We need more such heroes, less hollow slogans." Yet another wrote, "Purpose doesn't need applause. It needs dust, sweat, and man carries more discipline than an entire city plan."
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Anagani alleges Jagan, Roja ‘stumbling blocks' in State's development
Minister for Revenue, Stamps and Registration Anagani Satya Prasad on Tuesday alleged that former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and former minister R.K. Roja were acting like 'stumbling blocks' in the State's development. Speaking to the media here on Tuesday (July 22), he said that it was 'below dignity' for him to speak on some politicians who were bent on stalling development in the State. 'Our Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu made 56 field level trips across the State during the last 13 months, but our former Chief Minister does not even have the intention of attending the Assembly sessions. If Jagan is really interested in the people's welfare, why does not he attend the Assembly?', he asked. The Minister joined MLAs Arani Srinivasulu (Tirupati) and Bojjala Venkata Sudhir Reddy (Srikalahasti), MCT Commissioner N. Mourya and Andhra Pradesh Greening and Beautification Corporation Chairperson M. Sugunamma to celebrate the city's impressive 'Swachh Survekshan' rankings in an event organised by the MCT.
