President Droupadi Murmu Presents Swachh Survekshan Awards 2024–25: India’s Cleanest Cities Celebrated

In a grand ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan, President Droupadi Murmu honored India’s leading cities and states for their outstanding achievements in cleanliness and sanitation. The occasion marked the presentation of the Swachh Survekshan 2024–25 awards, the ninth edition of the government’s flagship urban cleanliness survey conducted under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban. With participation from over 4,500 cities, this survey stands as the world’s largest urban sanitation assessment.

President Droupadi Murmu gave away the awards to the winners at an event held in New Delhi on Thursday.(Youtube/DD News) | Hindustan Times

A Nationwide Celebration of Cleanliness and Civic Responsibility

The Swachh Survekshan Awards ceremony was attended by Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, senior government officials, and representatives from numerous urban local bodies. The awards recognize cities that have excelled in areas such as solid waste management, citizen feedback, sustainability initiatives, and innovative sanitation practices.

President Murmu, in her address, underscored the vital role cleanliness plays in Indian society and culture. Quoting Mahatma Gandhi’s famous words, “Cleanliness is next to godliness,” she praised the extensive public participation, noting that nearly 140 million citizens contributed to the survey through feedback and community action. The President also emphasized the importance of modern practices like source segregation of waste, reducing single-use plastics, and fostering a circular economy to sustain urban cleanliness.

Indore’s Unprecedented Cleanliness Record

For the eighth consecutive year, Indore secured the coveted title of India’s cleanest city. This remarkable achievement cements its position as a benchmark in urban sanitation, waste management, and public engagement. Indore’s success is attributed to innovative strategies such as the use of “Swachhta Anthems” — catchy songs played during garbage collection to encourage citizen participation. The city meticulously segregates waste into six categories and converts much of it into bio-CNG, which fuels the city’s public transport.

Moreover, Indore boasts 100% door-to-door garbage collection, supported by multiple shifts of sanitation workers known as Safai Mitras and monitored through advanced technological tools. The city’s robust sewage treatment infrastructure, including one of the world’s largest sequencing batch reactors, ensures that wastewater is effectively processed, making Indore a pioneer in urban hygiene.

Other Top Performers and State-Level Highlights

Alongside Indore, cities like Surat and Navi Mumbai continued to demonstrate exemplary cleanliness, ranking second and third respectively in the overall assessment. Madhya Pradesh, the home state of Indore, shone brightly with eight of its cities recognized for outstanding performance, including Bhopal, Jabalpur, and Gwalior. Bhopal was specially commended as the cleanest capital city, further highlighting the state’s commitment to sanitation.

The Swachh Survekshan survey also included special categories addressing the sanitation of Ganga towns, waste management safety, and cultural events like the Kumbh Mela, illustrating the comprehensive nature of the cleanliness drive.

Government Initiatives to Strengthen Urban Sanitation

Building on the momentum of the Swachh Bharat Mission, the government announced the upcoming launch of a Dumpsite Remediation Programme scheduled for August 15, 2025. This initiative aims to scientifically manage and rehabilitate legacy waste dumpsites, reducing environmental hazards and expanding waste processing capacity across urban centers.

Another key initiative unveiled is the Swachh City Partnership, which fosters mentorship by pairing top-performing cities with those striving to improve their sanitation standards. Such collaborations are expected to accelerate best practice sharing and innovation adoption nationwide.

Conclusion: Towards a Cleaner, Sustainable India

The Swachh Survekshan Awards 2024–25 underscore India’s transformative journey toward urban cleanliness and sustainability. Through a blend of government initiatives, technological innovation, and enthusiastic citizen participation, Indian cities are setting new standards for hygiene and waste management. The leadership of President Droupadi Murmu and continued government focus reaffirms the vision of a cleaner, healthier India where sanitation is both a priority and a shared responsibility.

As cities like Indore continue to lead by example, the country moves closer to fulfilling the Swachh Bharat mission’s promise of a vibrant, clean, and sustainable urban future.

(Sources: NDTV, Hindustan Times, Times of India)