Madhya Pradesh’s performance in the Swachh Survekshan 2025-26, with nine cities receiving national recognition, is a significant achievement. The awards reflect the combined effort of municipal staff, sanitation workers, administrators and citizens who have made cleanliness part of everyday civic life.
Indore’s recognition as a Swachh City Mentor, Ujjain’s first rank in its population category and Devaas’s first rank in its category show that sustained systems can produce results. Other cities, including Jabalpur, Sagar, Rewa, Gwalior, Budhni and Depalpur, have also received recognition in different categories. These achievements should encourage other urban bodies to improve their own standards.
Cleanliness is not only about appearance. Proper waste collection, segregation and treatment protect public health, reduce pollution and make cities more livable. Clean surroundings can also support tourism, investment and employment, especially in cities such as Ujjain that are preparing for large religious gatherings.
The emphasis on modern systems such as GPS-based waste collection, waste processing centres, sewage treatment plants, composting and digital monitoring is welcome. However, technology must be supported by consistent ground-level work. Regular door-to-door collection, segregation at source, maintenance of public toilets and prevention of pollution in rivers and water bodies are essential.
The contribution of sanitation workers deserves particular recognition. They work through heat, rain and cold to keep cities functional. Their safety, wages, working conditions and social security must remain a priority. Awards should not overlook the people who carry out the daily work behind clean streets.
As Madhya Pradesh prepares for Simhastha 2028, the challenge will be to maintain these standards beyond the survey period. Cleanliness cannot depend on occasional campaigns; it requires continuous civic participation, adequate resources and accountable urban governance. The recognition received by these nine cities should become a reminder that clean cities are built through everyday effort, not one-time achievement.
