Indore Is India's Cleanest City Again: Here's What It Does Differently
Indore's consistent success is a result of a multi-pronged approach encompassing robust waste management, smart infrastructure, strong civic engagement
Indore, the city famous for its delicious breakfast poha, has once again cemented its reputation as India's cleanest city, securing the top spot in the government's annual Swachh Survekshan cleanliness survey for an unprecedented eighth consecutive year. The results, announced on Thursday, saw Surat and Navi Mumbai follow Indore in the top three cleanest cities in the country.
In a separate category for cities with populations between 3 and 10 lakh, Noida was recognised as the cleanest, with Chandigarh and Mysore coming in second and third, respectively. President Droupadi Murmu presented the awards to the winners at a ceremony held in New Delhi, attended by Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal and other dignitaries.
Indore's consistent success in maintaining its cleanliness isn't accidental. It's a result of a multi-pronged approach encompassing robust waste management, smart infrastructure, strong civic engagement, and innovative services. Here's a closer look at what sets Indore apart:
100% Door-to-Door Collection & Source Segregation
Advanced Waste Processing & Resource Conversion
Indore is a leader in waste treatment. Nearly all generated waste is processed and converted into valuable resources. A large-scale Gobar-Dhan plant plays a crucial role, processing up to 550–692 tonnes of wet waste daily to produce bio-CNG and organic compost. The bio-CNG even fuels city buses and is available to residents at discounted rates. Furthermore, plastics are recycled, with some even being converted into fuel, while garden waste is composted or reused through mobile units and decentralised facilities.
Smart Infrastructure & Centralised Monitoring
Indore leverages technology for efficient waste management. A fleet of GPS-enabled garbage trucks and controlled traffic patterns ensure timely waste collection. This entire operation is centrally monitored from a control room, allowing for real-time performance tracking. The city also employs night operations using water-misting road sweepers, powered by recycled water from sewage treatment plants, showcasing a commitment to sustainability.
Zero-Waste Zones & Behaviour Change Campaigns
Indore has successfully transformed certain areas, including wards, markets, zoos, slums, and Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), into 'zero-waste zones." Within these communities, segregation, reuse, composting, and recycling are actively practised.
The city has also launched impactful behavioural change campaigns like 'Bartan Banks" to discourage single-use plastics and 'Jhola Banks" for cloth bags. City-wide plastic buyback schemes and public pledges further reinforce the message of cleanliness. The popular 'Swachhta Anthems," catchy songs played during door-to-door waste collection, effectively engage citizens and foster civic pride.
Strong Civic Engagement & Enforcement
NGOs in Indore play a vital role, conducting year-round awareness drives, rainwater harvesting initiatives, and clean-air campaigns. They also promote zero-waste policies at events like temple festivals and cricket matches. Citizens, students, shopkeepers, and local committees actively participate in cleanliness pledges and competitions. To deter littering, the city utilises CCTV monitoring and imposes fines. Notably, the municipal corporation even implements stern enforcement measures, including termination for non-compliant staff, highlighting their commitment to maintaining high standards.
Innovative Services & Energy Conservation
The Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) is continually innovating. They are set to launch an on-demand waste and bulk cleaning service via the city's 311 mobile platform, offering flexible waste pickup and transparent billing. Furthermore, an energy-conservation drive in early 2025 yielded impressive results, saving over 1.5 crore units of electricity and reducing 12,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions within 100 days, thanks to strong community involvement and the adoption of solar and efficiency measures.
Indore's continuous reign as India's cleanest city is a testament to its holistic and dedicated approach to sanitation, setting a benchmark for urban cleanliness across the nation.
About the Author
Saurabh Verma
Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Senior Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter --twitter.com/saurabhkverma19
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