A Saga of Cleanliness - Seventh Time Crowned as India's Cleanest City
A moment of pride for the citizens of Indore, the city has again won its title as the most clean City of India seven time in a row. time. In a ceremony, the President of India at an event that was held on Thursday (11 january 2024), recognized Indore for its unwavering efforts to maintain cleanliness which is a record-breaking accomplishment. In Indore the city Devi Ahilya, known for its rich culture has been etched into the history books by establishing itself as a symbol for cleanliness and sanitation. This article focuses on the process through how Indore has been consistently able to secure the highest position on the Swachh Survekshan rankings from 2017 until 2023.
Swachh Bharat: A Vision Turned Reality
Nearly a decade ago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi envisioned a Swachh Bharat, and Indore has been instrumental in translating that vision into tangible, remarkable outcomes. The city faced myriad challenges before 2016, grappling with issues typical to many urban areas, such as waste mismanagement and pollution.
However, Indore decided to change the narrative. In a paradigm-shifting move, the city transformed 15 lakh tons of accumulated waste into hills, signalling a commitment to overcoming the most significant challenges. The results have been astounding, showcasing how a city can metamorphose through determination, innovative solutions, and active community participation.
How Indore became the cleanest city in India
The Genesis of Indore's Cleanliness Legacy
Indore and its deep commitment to cleanliness has changed the course that was Swachh Bharat. Indore faced many issues prior to 2017, battling with issues related to pollution, waste management, and the lack of knowledge. But, the leadership vision and active citizen involvement led to an amazing transformation.
The Indore Model: Key Initiatives for Became the Cleanest City
Indore’s Transformation into India’s Cleanest City: A Saga of Innovation and Sustainability 2024
West to Art Initiatives:
- Indore’s Municipal Corporation has spearheaded the West to Art initiative, showcasing exemplary work in creating innovative projects. Notable among these is the 40 feet long and 27 feet wide sculpture of Ayodhya’s Shri Ram Temple, crafted from 21 tons of scrap in Vishram Bagh. The city’s intersections have also been adorned with artistic creations through the West to Art initiative, receiving praise citywide.
Three R Centers in Every Zone:
- In a pioneering move, the Municipal Corporation has established Three R (Reduce, Recycle, Reuse) centres across all 19 zones. These centres aim to transform household waste into useful items, not only aiding in waste management but also generating employment opportunities. The residents have welcomed these centres, utilising discarded materials to create various useful products.
I Carry My Bag Campaign (Main Jholadhari Campaign) :
- Initiating the “I Carry My Bag” campaign, Indore has successfully reduced single-use plastic and promoted the use of cloth bags. This campaign facilitated the installation of vending machines in busy markets, offering cloth bags to the public at nominal prices.
Introduction of E-Budget:
- This year, Indore became the first municipal corporation in the country to present an E-budget. Before this innovative approach, preparing the budget incurred significant expenses and consumed large quantities of paper. The e-budget, distributed to council members via pen drives, ensures a secure and eco-friendly budgeting process.
Green Waste to Carbon Blocks:
- In a forward-thinking move, the Municipal Corporation has turned green waste into a revenue source. A Green Waste Segregation Plant with a capacity of 100 tons per day has been established, capable of converting waste into carbon blocks. This not only aids in waste management but also provides an additional source of income for the Corporation.
Innovative Machinery by Municipal Workshop:
- The Municipal Corporation’s workshop has seen several innovations this year, attracting national attention. One such innovation is a camera-equipped device capable of traversing up to 100 meters within pipeline systems, identifying blockages. Additionally, the workshop has produced machines using scrap materials that extract silt from ponds at 85% less cost than market alternatives.
Internship with Mayor Initiative:
- Promoting innovation further, the Municipal Corporation introduced the “Internship with Mayor” initiative. Over 300 youths from various colleges were given the opportunity to work in different departments for 45 days. These interns provided valuable suggestions to enhance the Corporation’s functioning, some even contributing innovative ideas. The success of this program garnered widespread acclaim nationwide.
24-Hour Cleaning Process: A Glimpse
- 06:00 AM: 85 wards mobilize 60-70 personnel to clean litter bins across the city.
- 06:30 AM: Main road cleaning begins, including CSI and sub CSI inspections.
- 07:00 AM: Door-to-door garbage collection commences.
- 08:00 AM: Garbage collection centers dispatch waste to trenching grounds via capsule vehicles.
- 09:30 AM: Collection centers across Indore receive waste from door-to-door collections.
The cleaning process continues throughout the day, addressing every nook and corner of the city, including marketplaces, bazars, and prominent business areas. Late-night cleaning ensures that even the busiest spots remain pristine.
Why Indore Is The Cleanest City
Indore's Sustainability Outlook
Indore’s success is attributed not only to its cleanliness initiatives but also to a broader vision encompassing environmental sustainability. Key areas include:
- citizen participation: Active citizen participation in cleanliness drives.
- Single-Use Plastic Ban: A concerted effort to reduce plastic pollution.
- Air Pollution Control: Implementing measures to curb air pollution.
- E-Vehicles: Promoting eco-friendly transportation.
- No spitting Abhiyan: A campaign discouraging spitting in public spaces.
- Mobile App: An interactive app facilitating citizen reporting and engagement.
- Control Centers: Strategic monitoring hubs for efficient waste management.
The Road Ahead: Aspirations and Hopes
Indore’s future goals are outlined with a vision for a cleaner, greener city:
- Green Spaces: Expanding green areas and promoting urban forestry.
- Well-Maintained Roads: Focusing on well-maintained roads.
- Public Transport: Enhancing sustainable modes of public transportation.
- Clean rivers: A commitment to clean rivers and water bodies.
- Plastic-Free City: Continuing efforts to eliminate single-use plastics.
- 24-Hour Water Supply: Ensuring uninterrupted water availability.
- Solar Plants: Expanding the use of solar energy.
Indore Power: A Synergy of Leadership and Community
The success of Indore’s cleanliness drive is attributed to the dynamic leadership, dedicated officers, and the active participation of residents. The city’s commitment to planting, inspection, and practicality has propelled it to the forefront of the Swachh Bharat mission.
How many time indore win this awards ?
Swachh Survekshan Saga: 2017 to 2023 – 7th time winner
Indore’s journey to the summit of cleanliness began in 2017 when it was crowned as the cleanest city for the first time. The subsequent years saw a continuation of this success, with innovative initiatives such as waste segregation, bio-CNG production, and the conversion of landfill sites into green spaces. The city’s achievements in each Swachh Survekshan from 2017 to 2024 are a testament to its unwavering commitment to cleanliness.
- 2017 – Introduction of waste segregation and bio-CNG production.
- 2018 – Bio-CNG buses and the elimination of 1.5 million tons of landfill waste.
- 2019 – Transformation of landfill sites into green spaces.
- 2020 – Implementation of backlane cleaning and carbon credit earnings from river cleaning.
- 2021 -cleaning of river drains campaign and utilization of carbon credits for income generation.
- 2022 – Initiation of bio-CNG and wastewater treatment plants.
- 2023 – Focus on reducing air pollution and restricting single-use plastics.
