Ahmedabad has achieved a significant milestone by being named the Cleanest Big City in India in the latest Swachh Survekshan 2024–25. This prestigious title is awarded to cities with populations exceeding 10 lakh. The announcement was made during a national ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. The awards were presented by President Droupadi Murmu. Gujarat’s Health Minister Rushikesh Patel, Ahmedabad Mayor Pratibha Jain, and Municipal Commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani were present to receive the award.
This year’s Swachh Survekshan highlighted the commitment of Gujarat towards urban cleanliness. Ahmedabad’s success story is remarkable. The city ranked 15th in 2015 and has worked hard to improve its cleanliness standards. Surat also gained recognition for its excellent Solid Waste Management, securing a spot in the Super Swachh League category.
In the overall rankings, Indore retained its title as the cleanest city in India. Following Indore were Ambikapur in Chhattisgarh and Mysuru in Karnataka. Surat, Navi Mumbai, and Vijayawada also excelled in the Super Swachh League, which recognises cities that have consistently performed well over the years.
Swachh Survekshan is the world’s largest urban cleanliness survey. Now in its ninth edition, it is a key part of the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U), organised by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). This year’s theme focused on ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle’, promoting environmentally friendly practices in urban areas.
Awards were given across four categories: Super Swachh League Cities, the top three clean cities in five population categories, special categories such as Ganga towns, and State-Level Awards for promising clean cities. A total of 78 awards were presented.
The assessment involved over 3,000 trained evaluators who conducted thorough inspections across more than 4,500 cities in just 45 days. The survey engaged 14 crore citizens, who participated through various platforms, including the Swachhata App and social media.
For the first time, the cities were classified into five population-based categories. This classification ensures fair assessments based on the size and needs of each city. The categories include Very Small Cities, Small Cities, Medium Cities, Big Cities, and Million-Plus Cities.
The introduction of the Super Swachh League aims to reward cities that not only perform well but also maintain their standards over time. This initiative encourages cities to remain in the top 20% of their category.
Ahmedabad’s remarkable achievement in this year’s survey reflects the collective effort of its citizens and local authorities. The city has implemented effective waste management strategies and public awareness campaigns, playing a crucial role in its rise to the top.
The Swachh Survekshan awards are more than just accolades; they signify a commitment to improving public health and urban living conditions. Ahmedabad’s recognition as the Cleanest Big City in India sets a benchmark for other cities to follow. As cities across India strive for cleanliness, the focus on sustainable practices will be essential for future success in cleanliness rankings.