Assam Government Unveils Roadmap for Statewide Cleanliness Campaign

Guwahati, August 13: The Assam government has developed a roadmap to transform the initiatives of the ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’ into a continuous cleanliness campaign across the state. This plan emphasizes changing public behavior, scientific waste management, sanitation, and increased community participation at the grassroots level.

During a meeting on Wednesday, senior government officials reviewed strategies to strengthen the ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’ in both rural and urban areas of Assam. They discussed a comprehensive action plan to make cleanliness and sanitation a community-driven effort.

Officials stressed the importance of not only building sanitation-related infrastructure but also ensuring its proper functioning, maintenance, and long-term sustainability. Key issues discussed included waste segregation at the source, grey-water management, sewage and wastewater treatment, and the adoption of climate-friendly sanitation methods.

The meeting also highlighted the increased use of technology, including a GIS-based monitoring system to track sanitation and waste management outcomes. Officials discussed improving coordination between waste collection, processing, and recycling as part of efforts to promote a circular economy across the state.

A primary goal of the proposed roadmap is to establish an annual awards system to recognize districts, urban local bodies, panchayats, and grassroots institutions that excel in cleanliness and sanitation efforts.

Under the proposed ‘Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban’ framework, high-performing urban local bodies will be identified and honored at the state level. The government plans to recognize the best-performing wards in every municipal corporation, municipal board, and town committee, with awards distributed at the district level.

Similarly, under the ‘Swachh Bharat Mission-Rural,’ districts will be evaluated based on the performance of panchayati raj institutions. Annual awards will also be introduced for the best-performing wards at the gram panchayat level.

To encourage competition and community participation at the grassroots level, the government has proposed identifying and honoring the cleanest streets in villages based on sanitation and cleanliness performance.