How is the Centre Ensuring Visible Cleanliness Across States?

New Delhi, Aug 30 (NationPress) The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has organized a high-level virtual gathering with representatives from all states and union territories concerning the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0, led by Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, as stated on Saturday.

Joining the meeting were MoS, MoHUA, Tokhan Sahu, and Secretary, MoHUA, S. Katikithala. The primary focus of the meeting was to enhance visible cleanliness across urban India and establish a two-pronged strategy for identifying and transforming Cleanliness Target Units (CTUs).

Manohar Lal Khattar underscored the importance of CTUs as pivotal drivers for urban development and policy execution, asserting that cleanliness is inherently linked to urban progress, describing them as two facets of the same issue.

The Ministry has formulated a framework aimed at the prompt clearance of urban areas, emphasizing regular evaluations and rigorous monitoring by states, citizen engagement, and the interface for mapping CTUs via the Swachhata App. This framework includes fast-tracking and scheduled clearance of identified sites, along with beautification efforts to reclaim spaces and prevent future waste accumulation, the MoHUA statement elaborated.

CTUs will be documented on the https://swachhatahiseva.gov.in/ portal.

With particular attention to neglected and challenging locations, cities have been instructed to identify Legacy Waste Dumpsites as high-priority CTUs that necessitate significant time and resources for transformation. ULBs may collaborate with PSUs, private organizations, CSR groups, NGOs, startups, and other stakeholders to adopt these CTUs.

Cities should promote the utilization and adoption of the Swachhata App to identify and convert CTUs. With over 2 crore registered users, the app records locations, images, and CTU specifics when issues are reported, automatically assigning them to ward officials. Notifications are sent upon submission and resolution, granting a 7-day timeframe for citizens to confirm or reopen complaints.

Reiterating Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to action for Swachhata, Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar stated: "CTU cleaning is about transforming eyesores into sources of pride, restoring the dignity of public spaces, and ensuring that cleanliness is not just theoretical, but tangible, felt, and experienced by every citizen in their daily routines.”

MoS, MoHUA, Tokhan Sahu urged states to spearhead prompt intervention in Solid Waste Management. He noted that with only 12 months remaining for the completion of SBM-U 2.0, it is crucial to act swiftly to meet all essential targets within the designated timeframe.

To foster the development of cleaner cities and enhance capacity under SBM-U 2.0, MoHUA introduced the Swachh Shehar Jodi (SSJ) guidelines.

Seventy-two top-performing cities of SS 2024-25 will mentor and guide 72 low-performing mentee cities. Following the 'Each One Teach One' model, SSJ aims to amplify the impact of successful sanitation practices and seeks to institutionalize structured mentorship, peer learning, and collaborative efforts between mentor and mentee cities within the same state, the MoHUA statement said.

Over the past two months, MoHUA has conducted two rounds of state meetings to evaluate progress under SBM-U 2.0, focusing intensively on Legacy Waste Management, Solid Waste Management, and establishing CBG plants.

To expedite the initiative for Garbage Free Cities, the Ministry urged states to implement rigorous monitoring, daily reviews, and fast-track waste processing plants as well as dumpsite remediation.