The city of Bhubaneswar is setting its sights on achieving a higher ranking in the upcoming Swachh Survekshan 2025-26, the world's largest urban cleanliness survey launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. The capital, which has maintained a steady position in past editions, is bolstering its efforts with enhanced infrastructure and standardized operations to secure a better berth.
New Theme and Enhanced Citizen Role
Marking its tenth edition, the survey has been launched under the theme 'Swacchata Ki Nayi Pehel- Badhayein Haath, Karein Safai Saath'. A significant shift in this year's assessment is the increased emphasis on citizen participation. The ministry has made the citizen's voice a more powerful tool for evaluation, considerably raising its weightage in the overall scoring.
For the first time, citizens can provide their feedback on city cleanliness throughout the entire year via multiple platforms, rather than being restricted to a limited period. "We are aware that citizens play a vital role not only in maintaining cleanliness but also in improving the rank of the city," stated Bhubaneswar Mayor Sulochana Das. She confirmed that extensive drives will be conducted to actively collect this public input.
Infrastructure Boost and Mentorship Role
To back its ambitions, Bhubaneswar has been consistently upgrading its urban infrastructure. Mayor Das highlighted key improvements, including the standardization of mechanical sweeping and the inauguration of new waste processing facilities aimed at ensuring better solid waste management.
The city is also poised to excel in a newly introduced award category, 'Swachh Seher Jodi'. This category recognizes peer learning and knowledge sharing among urban local bodies. Earlier this year, Bhubaneswar was appointed as a mentor for five Odisha ULBs—Bargarh, Kendrapada, Deogarh, Pattamundai, and Joda—under a central government initiative.
"Being the state capital, Bhubaneswar has extensive expertise in solid waste management and through this, it has mentored smaller towns. This initiative is rightly recognised in the Swachh Survekshan," remarked urban expert Dipu Nanda.
Assessment Timeline and Broader Certifications
The field assessments for Swachh Survekshan 2025-26 are scheduled to commence from mid-February and continue through March 2026. Concurrently, the certification assessments for Garbage-Free Cities and Open Defecation-Free Cities will also begin from mid-February 2026, providing a comprehensive evaluation of urban sanitation standards across India.
With a clear strategy centered on citizen engagement and proven infrastructure, Bhubaneswar is mounting a determined campaign to climb the ranks in the nation's premier cleanliness survey.
