Indore, Surat named cleanest cities, Maharashtra cleanest state.

Syllabus: GS-II

Subject: Governance

Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors.

Issue: Swachh Survekshan Awards 2023.

Context: Swachh Survekshan 2023 covers 4,416 urban local bodies, 61 cantonments, and 88 Ganga towns.

Synopsis:

Swachh Survekshan Awards 2023

Cleanest Cities:

Indore and Surat were declared the cleanest cities in the Swachh Survekshan Awards 2023. Indore maintains its top position for the seventh consecutive year, while Surat secures the top spot for the first time. Both cities score 100% in door-to-door waste collection, 98% in source segregation, and 100% in remediation of dumpsites. Tied for the cleanest cities with a population over 1 lakh; Navi Mumbai takes the third spot.

Cleanest State:

Maharashtra bags the cleanest state award with 89.24% door-to-door waste collection and 67.76% source segregation followed by Madhya Pradesh.

Special Recognitions:

• Chandigarh was awarded for the best safety standards for sanitation workers.
• Varanasi named the cleanest ‘Ganga town.’
• Mhow Cantonment is recognized as the cleanest cantonment in the country.
• Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Rajasthan, Nagaland, and Tripura ranked as the bottom five states.

Background:

Conclusion: The recognition in Swachh Survekshan 2023 calls for sustained efforts, innovation, and citizen involvement to further enhance urban cleanliness nationwide.