In a resounding affirmation of its civic discipline and sustained urban management, Indore has once again emerged as India’s cleanest city in the Swachh Survekshan 2024–25. This marks the city’s eighth consecutive win in the Centre’s annual urban sanitation assessment—solidifying its status as a national benchmark for cleanliness and citizen-led urban governance. The accolades were formally conferred by President Droupadi Murmu on July 17 at New Delhi’s Vigyan Bhawan.
A Legacy of Cleanliness, Reaffirmed
Conducted by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and implemented through the Quality Council of India, the Swachh Survekshan is widely regarded as the world’s largest urban cleanliness survey. The 2024–25 edition drew participation from over 4,500 urban local bodies and engaged approximately 14 crore citizens through digital campaigns and on-ground outreach. With more than 3,000 trained assessors deployed over a rigorous 45-day evaluation period, this year’s findings reflect both community involvement and systemic excellence.
Indore: An Urban Paragon in Sanitation Strategy
Indore retained its top rank in the Super Swachh League category for cities with a population exceeding 10 lakh. The city’s enduring dominance is attributed to a meticulous blend of solid waste segregation, decentralized composting, and active resident participation in cleanliness drives. The city's practices aligned seamlessly with this year’s theme—‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle’—underlining its model integration of environmental stewardship with municipal precision.
Other Noteworthy Performers
Surat and Navi Mumbai claimed the second and third spots, respectively, underscoring Gujarat and Maharashtra’s continued investment in sanitation infrastructure. Among cities with over 10 lakh residents, Ahmedabad led the rankings, followed closely by Bhopal—another consistent high-performer from Madhya Pradesh.
The heartland state also secured multiple laurels. Ujjain topped the 3–10 lakh population bracket under the Super Swachh League, while Budhni ranked first among towns with fewer than 20,000 residents. Altogether, Madhya Pradesh received honours for eight cities, testifying to the state’s comprehensive sanitation framework.
Population-Based Rankings for Equitable Assessment
For the first time in the survey’s nine-year history, urban centres were categorised into five population-based cohorts. This structural refinement allowed for fairer competition and highlighted standout performances across varied demographic scales. Noida earned recognition as the cleanest city in the 3–10 lakh population segment, with Chandigarh and Mysuru trailing in second and third place, respectively.
Beyond Appearances: A Systemic Examination
Cleanliness was evaluated across multiple indices, with 60% of the scoring drawn from service-level progress—solid waste management (30%), sanitation and wastewater handling (22%), and visible cleanliness (17%). Another major addition was a 750-mark criterion assessing the protection and dignity of sanitation workers. This involved audits on mechanisation, occupational safety, and proper infrastructure for sewage treatment.
New benchmarks were also introduced, including cleanliness ratings for tourist sites, water bodies, and public sanitation facilities. The survey placed emphasis not just on aesthetics, but on the resilience and sustainability of civic systems.
Swachh Survekshan: A Movement, Not Just a Metric
Now in its ninth edition, the Swachh Survekshan has evolved from a policy tool into a national movement. Cities vie for top honours not merely for the trophy, but for the civic pride and tourism benefits it attracts. Over time, these rankings have shaped urban policy, catalysed citizen activism, and driven innovative approaches to urban sanitation.
As Indore celebrates its eighth straight title, its continued prominence offers not only a case study in municipal excellence but also a replicable blueprint for cities across India seeking to cultivate cleanliness as a cornerstone of liveability.
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