Kolkata, May 31: Union Minister for Power and Housing and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal, launched the ‘Swachh’ app for West Bengal during an event in Kolkata on Saturday.
The event was attended by West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, Minister of Municipal Affairs Agnimitra Paul, Secretary of the Ministry of Power Pankaj Agarwal, and Chairman of the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) Suresh Kumar.
Manohar Lal emphasized that cleanliness and waste management are crucial pillars of urban development. The waste management cycle includes door-to-door waste collection, segregation, and scientific processing, with advanced systems expected to process millions of tons of waste annually.
The newly developed Swachh app aims to empower citizens to actively participate in maintaining cleanliness. Residents can upload photos of accumulated waste or sanitation issues in their neighborhoods through the app. Complaints will be geotagged and forwarded to the relevant municipal authorities for prompt action.
He further explained that municipal officials will upload photos post-cleaning, and a feedback mechanism will be available for citizens to evaluate the responses.
Manohar Lal reminded attendees that Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Swachh Bharat Mission from the Red Fort 11 years ago, aiming to make India open defecation-free and ensure a clean environment for all.
Addressing the gathering, CM Suvendu Adhikari stated that the pilot phase of the Swachh app will initially cover ten municipalities, including Asansol, Durgapur, Basirhat, Pujali, Tufanganj, Contai, Krishnanagar, Baidyabati, and Madhyamgram, before expanding to all municipalities in West Bengal.
He noted that this initiative reflects a commitment to reconstructing West Bengal in line with Prime Minister Modi’s vision for a developed India by 2047.
Highlighting the support from the central government, the CM mentioned allocations of ₹39,000 crore under the Jal Jeevan Mission, ₹2,103 crore under the National Health Mission, and ₹976 crore under Ayushman Bharat. He assured that all central government schemes would be effectively implemented to harness the immense potential in urban development and power sectors in West Bengal.
CM Suvendu Adhikari also stressed the importance of sustainable transport and environmental protection, stating that the expansion of railway and metro projects in West Bengal will significantly contribute to reducing pollution and improving urban mobility.
He underscored the significance of the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Yojana, especially for rural families, expressing confidence that collaboration between state administration and agricultural universities will strengthen irrigation infrastructure and support agricultural development.
On this occasion, Agnimitra Paul stated that the initiative aims to create a clean, green, and smart Bengal. She emphasized that improving environmental sustainability and quality of life can only be achieved through coordinated efforts among governments, institutions, and citizens.
She added that the vision of “Swachh Bangla” aligns with the broader goals of Sonar Bangla and developed India, reiterating the commitment to building modern, environmentally sustainable urban centers through partnership and shared responsibility.
The launch of the Swachh app marks a significant step towards enhancing citizen participation in urban governance and advancing the objectives of the Swachh Bharat Mission through technology-based solutions.
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