Ranchi Municipal Corporation Intensifies Cleanliness Measures for Swachh Survekshan 2025-26
As preparations accelerate for Swachh Survekshan 2025–26, the tenth edition of the central government's flagship cleanliness survey, the Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) has significantly stepped up its enforcement actions, waste recovery initiatives, and public awareness campaigns. This strategic push aims to enhance the city's performance in the highly competitive annual assessment, which plays a crucial role in urban governance and sanitation standards across India.
Understanding the Swachh Survekshan Framework
Launched in 2016 under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban), the annual Swachh Survekshan survey ranks cities based on multiple critical parameters. These include sanitation, waste management efficiency, and direct citizen feedback, fostering a spirit of competitive federalism and driving comprehensive urban reforms. The field assessment for the 2025-26 cycle is scheduled to take place between mid-February and March of this year, putting cities on a tight timeline to demonstrate improvements.
This year's assessment framework allocates marks across a broad spectrum of criteria. Key areas under evaluation include:
- Visible cleanliness and hygiene in public spaces
- Segregation and efficient transportation of waste
- Solid waste processing and disposal mechanisms
- Access to sanitation facilities for all residents
- Used water management and treatment systems
- Availability of mechanised desludging services
- Welfare and working conditions for sanitation workers
- Institutional strengthening and administrative capacity
- Citizen grievance redressal systems and responsiveness
Additionally, certifications such as Garbage-Free City status and achievements in Open Defecation Free (ODF)+, ODF++, and Water+ categories carry substantial weight in the final rankings. For Ranchi, which ranked a disappointing 37th out of 40 million-plus cities in the previous survey, these parameters highlight urgent areas for improvement.
RMC's Comprehensive Action Plan
In a recent high-level strategy meeting chaired by Administrator Sushant Gaurav, RMC officials outlined a multi-pronged approach to address these challenges. Key directives issued include:
- Ensuring 100% door-to-door waste collection coverage across all residential and commercial areas
- Implementing strict source segregation protocols to reduce mixed waste
- Organizing three-shift waste lifting operations in all municipal wards
- Intensifying night cleaning drives in busy commercial belts and market areas
To curb the persistent issue of roadside dumping, the corporation has deployed dedicated road management teams. These teams are empowered to impose spot fines on violators and take immediate corrective actions. In a recent enforcement drive on Thursday, RMC teams inspected 25 establishments along Mahatma Gandhi Marg for non-payment of solid waste user charges. On-the-spot demand notices were issued, and fines were imposed on several establishments found dumping waste improperly on the road.
An official RMC statement emphasized, "User charge compliance and visible cleanliness are non-negotiable. Strict action will be taken under the Jharkhand Municipal Act against all defaulters to ensure accountability and adherence to regulations."
Learning from Best Practices and Addressing Ground Realities
In addition to enforcement, RMC is actively seeking to learn from successful models. The corporation recently organized a two-day learning visit to Jamshedpur, which ranked third nationally and became Jharkhand's first 5-Star garbage-free city. Officials studied Jamshedpur's advanced solid waste management systems and effective source segregation practices, aiming to adapt relevant strategies for Ranchi.
However, residents and frontline workers highlight ongoing challenges that require sustained attention. Reema, a resident of Lalpur, noted, "While these intensive drives are noticeable before surveys, consistent monitoring and enforcement throughout the year are essential for lasting change. Sporadic efforts alone will not transform our city's cleanliness landscape."
Neelam Tudu, a sanitation worker at Lalpur Chowk, echoed this sentiment, stating, "Achieving effective segregation at source remains a significant hurdle. Without active cooperation and behavioral change from the public, improving our rankings will be an uphill battle. We need community participation alongside administrative measures."
Towards Sustainable Urban Cleanliness
With the survey cycle approaching, RMC is focusing on converting short-term enforcement actions into long-term behavioral change among citizens. This involves stronger monitoring mechanisms, targeted recovery drives for waste management, and extensive citizen engagement campaigns. The corporation hopes that these combined efforts will not only boost Ranchi's position in the upcoming Swachh Survekshan but also establish a foundation for sustained urban cleanliness and improved quality of life for all residents.
The success of these initiatives will depend on continuous collaboration between municipal authorities, sanitation workers, and the community, setting a precedent for holistic urban development in the region.
