Hundreds of Swachhata Didis, Officials and Employees Gather to Felicitate Them
Repeated National-Level Recognition Reflects Continuous Improvements, Commitment and Effective Efforts in the Field of Cleanliness: Arun Sao
Raipur, November 2026: Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Urban Administration and Development Arun Sao, along with the elected heads of Raipur, Bilaspur and Bilha, received a grand welcome at the airport upon their return to Raipur after delivering an outstanding performance in Swachh Survekshan 2025-26 and receiving national awards from President Droupadi Murmu in New Delhi.
Hundreds of Swachhata Didis, officials and employees from the three urban local bodies reached the airport to welcome and felicitate Deputy Chief Minister Sao and their respective civic body heads — Raipur Mayor Meenal Choubey, Bilaspur Mayor Pooja Vidhani and Bilha Nagar Panchayat Chairperson Vandana Jendre.
The delegation, which had travelled to New Delhi to receive the awards, was accorded a grand welcome on its return to Raipur with traditional folk dances, music and celebrations.
After returning to Raipur, Deputy Chief Minister and Urban Administration and Development Minister Arun Sao congratulated the three cities on their achievements for the second consecutive year. He said Chhattisgarh had maintained its national recognition in the field of cleanliness for the second year in a row.
He said that the recognition of three urban local bodies at the national level for two consecutive years was proof of the continuous improvements, commitment and effective efforts being made in the state in the field of cleanliness.
He attributed the achievement to the tireless efforts of sanitation workers, the commitment of elected representatives, officials and employees of urban local bodies, and the active participation of citizens.
Appreciating the contribution of sanitation workers, he said they played an important role in keeping cities clean every day.
Deputy Chief Minister Sao said that more than 9,000 Swachhata Didis were making a significant contribution towards strengthening urban cleanliness. They played an active role in door-to-door waste collection, waste segregation and creating awareness among citizens about cleanliness.
He said the national recognition was also an acknowledgement of the contribution made by the Swachhata Didis.
He added that the government's objective was not merely to secure national recognition for a few cities but to make every urban local body in the state clean, beautiful, healthy and equipped with better civic facilities.
The achievements of Bilaspur, Raipur and Bilha, he said, would also inspire other urban local bodies across the state.
Chhattisgarh Continues to Excel in Cleanliness Under Good Governance; Three Cities Retain Their National Standing
Under the good governance government led by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, Bilha, Bilaspur and Raipur have once again maintained their national recognition this year for outstanding work in the field of cleanliness.
In the previous Swachh Survekshan, Bilha had secured the first position in the country in its category. Bilaspur had secured the second position among cities with populations ranging from three lakh to ten lakh.
Retaining its performance, Bilaspur has this year secured the second position among the cleanest riverfront cities in the country.
In Swachh Survekshan 2024-25, the state capital Raipur had received the award for being Chhattisgarh’s ‘Promising Clean City’. This year, Raipur has been honoured with the award for being the cleanest city in the state.
