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With the Centre rolling out Swachh Survekshan 2025–26, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Tuesday urged citizens to actively join in keeping the city clean and beautiful to improve and contribute in Mumbai’s performance in the national cleanliness rankings.

BMC`s Additional Municipal Commissioner, Dr Ashwini Joshi, stated that the citizen participation will be key to achieving better rankings and directed major civic departments, including Solid Waste Management, Storm Water Drains, Sewerage Operations, the Mumbai Sewage Disposal Project and the Education Department, to ensure close inter-departmental coordination for effective implementation.

Joshi was speaking at a review meeting held at the BMC headquarters. The meeting was also attended by Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Solid Waste Management) Kiran Dighavkar and senior officials from various departments.

Swachh Survekshan 2026 introduces new benchmarks, school focus

Conducted annually by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Swachh Survekshan evaluates cities on parameters such as sanitation, waste segregation, collection, transportation, processing and citizen participation.

The ongoing survey marks the tenth edition of the national cleanliness exercise.

For Swachh Survekshan 2025–26, the Centre has introduced the theme ‘Swachhata ki Nai Pahal – Badhaaye Haath, Kare Safai Saath’, placing increased emphasis on citizen feedback and verification. Digital feedback will be collected throughout the year via websites and mobile applications.

New benchmarks have also been introduced to curb open defecation and urination, while greater focus has been placed on school-based Behaviour Change Programmes.

This year’s survey will include separate assessment criteria for coastal cities, along with enhanced scrutiny of cleanliness standards at tourist, heritage, religious and high-footfall public places.

BMC`s efforts

Highlighting ongoing civic efforts, Dr Joshi said the BMC’s Solid Waste Management Department has been working continuously towards scientific and efficient waste management across Mumbai and its suburbs. She stressed that accurate and updated data compilation, along with coordinated departmental action, is essential to ensure these efforts are reflected in the survey assessment.

Underscoring the importance of public involvement, Dr Joshi said fostering cleanliness habits among students can lead to long-term behavioural change and improved civic hygiene.

Appealing to Mumbaikars, she said cleanliness is a shared responsibility and urged citizens to keep their homes, neighbourhoods and public spaces clean, process waste within residential complexes wherever possible, participate in civic cleanliness initiatives and discourage littering.