A star rating system of garbage-free cities has been rolled out and the initiative will rate cities on a 7-star rating system.
The rating will be done on the basis of several cleanliness indicators such as solid waste management, door-to-door collection, bulk generator compliance, sweeping, scientific processing of waste, scientific land filling, plastic waste management, construction and demolition management, etc.
It is noteworthy in order for a city to have 3-star rating or above, it has to be an Open Defecation Free (ODF) one.
Also, the housing ministry will conduct an additional verification through an independent third party to certify cities as 3-star, 5-star or 7-star. Cities will need to get recertified themselves every year to retain their star-status.
The rating will be done on SMART- Single metric, Measurable, Achievable, Rigorous verification and Targeted towards outcomes.
The Swachh Survekshan survey run by the SBM Urban for the past three years has successfully built up a spirit of healthy competition among cities, vying with each other every year to improve their ranking as compared to other cities.
Likewise, it is expected that this star rating system will also achieve its purpose, wherein all cities have no garbage or litter in any public, commercial or residential locations. Also, cities are expected to achieve 100% status in managing waste, scientifically.
The Indian government is taking concrete steps to raise awareness and motivate cities to become cleanliness conscious. India aims to become clean and litter-free by 2019 to mark 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
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