The Swachh Survekshan Awards 2023, held on Thursday, honoured Indore and Surat as the joint winners of the ‘cleanest cities’ category. The President of India, Draupadi Murmu, presented the awards to the representatives of the two cities, who have shown exemplary performance in urban sanitation and cleanliness.
This is the seventh time in a row that Indore has bagged this award, while Surat has improved its rank from the second position last year. Navi Mumbai retained its third spot, followed by Saswad, Patan, and Lonavala in the category of cities with less than 1 lakh population. Varanasi and Prayagraj were awarded as the cleanest Ganga Towns, while the MHOW Cantonment Board was the cleanest cantonment town.
The Swachh Survekshan Awards are part of the Swachh Bharat Urban Mission, launched by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) in 2016. The mission aims to promote cleanliness and waste management in urban areas, and to foster citizen participation and awareness. The awards are based on the world’s largest survey on urban sanitation and cleanliness, which covers more than 4,500 cities and involves over 3000 assessors. The survey uses 46 indicators to measure various aspects of urban cleanliness, such as door-to-door waste collection, zero waste events, disabled-friendly toilets, and plastic waste management.
Indore, located in the heart of India, is known for its vibrant culture and economy. The city has a strong educational sector and is a major hub in Madhya Pradesh. Indore is also famous for its delicious street food, especially in the Sarafa Bazaar. The city’s architecture reflects the influence of the Maratha and Mughal empires, as seen in the Rajwada Palace.
Surat, situated on the banks of the Tapi River, is a thriving commercial and industrial city in Gujarat. The city is a leader in the diamond and textile industries, contributing to the national economy. Surat has a rich history, evident in landmarks such as the Chintamani Jain Temple and the Surat Castle.
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