Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jul 17: Indore has once again emerged as India's cleanest city, securing the top spot in the Swachh Survekshan 2024–25 for the eighth consecutive year. The annual cleanliness rankings, announced in New Delhi, were part of a national awards ceremony organized by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs at Vigyan Bhawan. President Droupadi Murmu felicitated the winning cities, with Surat and Navi Mumbai finishing second and third, respectively.
In the 3 to 10 lakh population bracket, Noida claimed the cleanest city title, followed by Chandigarh and Mysuru. For the first time, cities were evaluated across five distinct population-based categories—very small, small, medium, big, and million-plus—to ensure fairer comparisons and recognition. The ninth edition of the Swachh Survekshan survey assessed over 4,500 urban areas based on 10 parameters and 54 performance indicators, focusing on sanitation, waste management, and citizen services. This year’s theme, “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle,” highlighted the government’s push for sustainable urban practices.
A major highlight of this year’s awards was the introduction of the Super Swachh League, a new category recognizing cities that consistently ranked in the top three over the past three years and remained within the top 20 percent of their population group. Indore not only led this elite league but also scored the highest among the 23 cities included. Ujjain and Budhni were also acknowledged in their respective population segments.
Indore’s civic success has become a national model since it first topped the rankings in 2017. Municipal Commissioner Shivam Verma led the city’s delegation, representing a coordinated effort between local authorities and engaged citizens. The city’s approach—marked by strong public participation, innovative waste segregation, and proactive implementation of reforms—has earned consistent praise, including from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has highlighted Indore’s habit of leading by example.
Swachh Survekshan 2024–25 also saw unprecedented public participation, with over 14 crore citizens contributing feedback through surveys, apps, and social media. Over 3,000 assessors were deployed to conduct in-person evaluations in every ward over a span of 45 days, covering more than 11 lakh households. According to the Ministry, the scale and transparency of the exercise make it the largest urban cleanliness survey in the world.
In total, 78 awards were presented across various categories, including Ganga Towns, Cantonment Boards, SafaiMitra Suraksha, and the Mahakumbh. State-level awards also highlighted promising cities across the States and Union Territories. The Ministry emphasized that the awards not only reward sanitation achievements but also encourage continuous improvement and innovation aligned with the Swachh Bharat Mission’s long-term goals.
Indore’s eighth straight win reflects not just operational efficiency but a deeper cultural transformation, where cleanliness is no longer an initiative but a daily way of life.