New Delhi, Nov 27 (NationPress) The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), in collaboration with the Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC) at IIT Kanpur, has officially launched its second cohort of startups dedicated to sanitation and waste management.

This announcement was made during the Swachhata Startup Conclave held in the capital, where Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, Tokhan Sahu, introduced the latest group of 32 innovative startups.

During his address, Tokhan Sahu emphasized that the Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban (SBM-U) has revolutionized India's waste management practices over the last decade, moving away from traditional methods to embrace modern, technology-driven solutions.

He highlighted the pivotal role startups play in this transformation, fostering new ideas that enable cities to maintain cleanliness and function more efficiently.

Furthermore, the Minister revealed that the Ministry is creating a national platform aimed at linking startups with urban local bodies, investors, and other key stakeholders, facilitating a more streamlined approach to identifying issues and deploying homegrown solutions at scale.

India boasts over 100 unicorns and an innovative culture that extends beyond major metropolises into smaller towns and cities.

This trend is evident in the waste management sector, which has seen more than 5,000 startups registered with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).

These startups are enhancing urban sustainability and service delivery through cutting-edge tools and technologies.

Since its inception in 2014, the Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban has significantly redefined India's sanitation landscape.

In its second phase, the mission is focused on achieving garbage-free cities by advocating for waste segregation, recycling, circular economy principles, and improved safety standards for sanitation workers.

Startups have become vital contributors to this initiative by creating solutions that range from mechanized manhole cleaning and waste tracking to recycling-based enterprises and innovative collection approaches.

To foster these advancements, MoHUA introduced the Swachhata Startup Challenge in 2022.

The inaugural cohort received over 230 applications, with 30 startups chosen for funding and mentorship.

Since then, these startups have achieved remarkable results — treating over 300 lakh litres of wastewater, managing upwards of 63,000 metric tonnes of waste, clearing 15,000 metric tonnes of street garbage, and processing 200 metric tonnes of biodegradable waste.

Together, they have reached a valuation exceeding Rs 500 crore and created more than 2,000 jobs.

The second cohort has drawn over 400 applications, culminating in the selection of 32 startups.