Indore and Surat Jointly Rank as India’s Cleanest Cities for Seventh Year Running
Indore and Surat have once again secured the top positions in the annual urban cleanliness rankings for 2023, making them the cleanest cities in India for the seventh consecutive year. Howrah, on the other hand, has been declared the dirtiest city among municipalities with over one lakh populations. The rankings were released on Thursday, revealing that Indore and Surat shared the first-place spot with the same score, marking Surat’s first-ever joint victory since the rankings started in 2016.
According to the survey, West Bengal was home to the ten lowest-ranked municipal areas in the over one lakh population category. This marked the first participation of West Bengal cities and urban local bodies in the survey. Except for Kolkata and Bhatpara, the remaining eight municipal areas scored less than 1,000 out of a possible 10,000. Additionally, Shillong in Meghalaya, as well as Khagaria and Sitamarhi in Bihar, also found themselves near the bottom of the rankings.
The inclusion of Surat as the cleanest city underscores the remarkable transformation it has undergone since being one of the dirtiest cities plagued with disease nearly three decades ago. Meanwhile, Indore’s ascent from the 25th rank in 2016 to becoming the cleanest city in 2017 and maintaining that position for seven consecutive years demonstrates how cleanliness can become ingrained in the lives of its residents.
President Droupadi Murmu officially announced the results of Swachh Suvekshan 2023, emphasizing the crucial role of cleanliness in the health and development of India’s urban areas, where about one-third of the population resides. She commended the efforts of all states, urban local bodies, and citizens in their pursuit of cleanliness. The President also highlighted the necessity of continued participation from citizens and all stakeholders to sustain the achievements of the cleanliness mission.
The survey assessed cities, towns, and urban local bodies in two population categories: more than one lakh and less than one lakh. The ranking covered 446 cities and municipal areas in the over one lakh category and 3,970 towns and municipal areas in the less than one lakh category, making it the most extensive survey to date, encompassing 4,477 cities and urban local bodies.
In the category of cities with a population over one lakh, Navi Mumbai secured the third spot, followed by Visakhapatnam, Bhopal, Vijayawada, and the NDMC area of Delhi. In the less than one lakh population category, Sasvad in Maharashtra claimed the top rank, with Patan in Chhattisgarh and Lonavala in Maharashtra following closely behind. Impressively, four out of the top five cities in this category hailed from Maharashtra. Nagaland accounted for the presence of the five lowest-ranked towns in this category.
For the Ganga towns, Varanasi and Prayagraj received the top two awards, while Mhow and Deolali were recognized as the cleanest cantonments. Chandigarh was honored with the Best Safaimitra Surakshit Sheher award for establishing a robust ecosystem to safeguard the workforce engaged in cleanliness tasks.
Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh emerged as the cleanest states, while Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Rajasthan, and Nagaland occupied the lowest positions in the cleanliness rankings.
In conclusion, Indore and Surat have once again proven their dedication to cleanliness by securing the top positions in India’s urban cleanliness rankings for the seventh consecutive year. The accomplishments of these cities highlight the importance of embracing cleanliness as an integral part of daily life. With continued efforts from citizens and stakeholders, India can move closer to achieving a cleaner and healthier future for all.
Please remember to proofread and double-check your work for any errors or omissions before publishing.
