Nation-wide cleanliness survey 'Swachh Survekshan' launched

The nation-wide cleanliness survey 'Swachh Survekshan' was launched across India on 4 January 2018.

The announcement for the same was made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 31 December 2017 while addressing the nation in the 39th edition of his monthly radio-address 'Mann Ki Baat'.

Objective

The main objective of the survey is to evaluate the achievements in the cleanliness level in urban areas.

Key Highlights

• Deemed as the world’s biggest survey, it will be conducted in over 4,000 cities with a population of more than 40 crores.

• It will commence on 4 January and will run till 10 March 2018.

• The assessment of the cities would be done by keeping some points as the parameter such as:

- The management undertaken to curb open defecation.

- Deployment of transportation facilities to collect garbage.

- Usage of scientific ways for processing the waste.

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister urged the youth of the nation to come forward and contribute in the scheduled survey so that their cities do not lack behind in survey rankings.

Background

• On 2 October 2014, the Union Government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan or Clean India Mission, India’s largest cleanliness drive, to achieve an Open-Defecation Free (ODF) India by 2 October 2019, the 150th anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi.

• The campaign aims to clean up the streets, roads and infrastructure of India's cities, smaller towns and rural areas.

• The key objectives of Swachh Bharat include eliminating open defecation through the construction of household-owned and community-owned toilets and establishing an accountable mechanism for monitoring toilet use.

• For the same, the government plans to construct 12 million toilets in rural India at a projected cost of ₹1.96 lakh crore.

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