THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR, NOVEMBER 11, 2026
Odisha has earned prestigious national recognition for its outstanding
efforts in urban cleanliness and sanitation, with Puri securing the top
position in the Swachh Coastal Town category, Bhubaneswar being recognised as
the state’s first Swachh City and Aska Municipality bagging the second rank in
its population category at the Swachh Survekshan Awards 2025–26.
Housing and Urban Development Minister Dr Krushna Chandra Mahapatra and
Additional Chief Secretary of the H&UD Department, Usha Padhee, received
the prestigious award from President Droupadi Murmu at a special ceremony held
at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on Wednesday.
The recognition marks a significant achievement for Odisha, reflecting
the state's sustained efforts to improve urban sanitation, strengthen waste
management systems and promote citizen participation in maintaining cleaner and
healthier surroundings.
Adding to the state's laurels, Aska Municipality secured the second
position among Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) with a population of 20,000 to 50,000,
highlighting the growing emphasis on cleanliness and effective civic management
in smaller urban centres.
The achievements underscore the collective commitment of the state
government, Urban Local Bodies, sanitation workers and citizens towards
creating cleaner, healthier and more liveable urban spaces.
The Swachh Survekshan Awards 2025–26 mark the tenth edition of the
world's largest urban cleanliness and sanitation assessment, conducted under
the Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban. The latest edition, themed ‘Swachhata Ki Nayi
Pehel – Badhayein Haath, Karein Safai Saath’, celebrates a decade of sustained
efforts to transform urban sanitation through public participation,
institutional accountability and healthy competition among cities.
The awards ceremony was attended by Special Secretary-cum-Mission Director, SBM (Urban), Binaya Kumar Dash; Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation Mayor Sulochana Das; the Commissioner of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation; representatives of Puri Municipal Corporation; and the chairman and Executive Officer of Aska Municipality, who joined the state delegation in celebrating the achievement.
The national recognition is expected to further strengthen Odisha's resolve to promote sustainable waste management, improve sanitation infrastructure and advance the vision of clean, inclusive and liveable cities across the state.
