State Government Committed to the Success of ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ Fortnight – Deputy CM Eknath Shinde

Union Minister of Urban Development Reviews Sanitation Initiatives of States

Mumbai, Aug 2025 : Along with the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, several initiatives like Deep Clean Drive, Zero Waste Cities, and beautification of public toilet premises have been undertaken in urban areas. To ensure the successful implementation of the ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ Fortnight from September 17 to October 2, 2025, the State Government’s Urban Development Department is fully committed, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde assured.

Union Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Manohar Lal Khattar, reviewed sanitation programs being implemented in various states through video conferencing. Present at Mantralaya were Deputy CM Shinde, Additional Chief Secretary (Urban Development) Asimkumar Gupta, Principal Secretary to the Deputy CM Navin Sona, along with senior officials from the Urban Development Department.

Through video conferencing, Union Minister Khattar also interacted with Union MoS Tokhan Sahu, Project Director Rupa Mishra, and Urban Development Ministers and Principal Secretaries of different states.

Deputy CM Shinde said that when Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan in October 2014, it received overwhelming public response and has since evolved into a mass movement. This movement continues strongly in Maharashtra, where the Deep Clean Drive in Mumbai and its suburbs has given a boost to cleanliness efforts. Other state-level initiatives include Zero Waste Cities and beautification of public toilet premises. Following the Centre’s lead, the Swachh Maharashtra Mission (Urban) 2.0 is being implemented, and construction of both individual and community toilets is progressing.

Highlighting upcoming projects, Shinde stated that for 358 cities with populations under one lakh, 1,656 MLD sewage treatment projects are being proposed, along with the purchase of 200 sewage suction vehicles. Additionally, 10 projects for construction and demolition (C&D) waste management are planned.

He further informed that approval has been granted for 186 urban local bodies to process legacy waste. Of these, 108 have completed the process, while work continues at the remaining locations. At the Deonar dumping ground in Mumbai, bio-mining of 18.5 million metric tonnes of waste is expected to be completed by December 2028. Shinde also announced approvals for solid waste management projects in 337 urban local bodies and wastewater management projects in 8 urban bodies.

Union Minister Congratulates Maharashtra

Union Minister Khattar congratulated Maharashtra for securing the top position in the Centre’s Swachh Survekshan survey of 2023 and for winning awards for 10 cities in 2024, of which 7 were included in the Super Swachh League.

“The image of the country is built through clean and beautiful cities. Hence, collective efforts are needed to make every city clean and attractive,” the Union Minister said. He noted that the sanitation movement began with the elimination of open defecation, and now household toilet usage has become widespread — a major achievement. However, he emphasized the urgent need to remove garbage heaps and construction debris from cities to achieve the desired results.

He also urged prize-winning urban local bodies under the Swachh City Pairing Initiative to mentor lower-ranked cities and help them climb up the cleanliness rankings.

During the meeting, Union Minister Khattar reviewed the Cleanliness Target Units (CTUs) and the preparations for Swachhata Hi Seva 2025. He also unveiled the digital guidebook for the Swachh City Pairing Initiative.