Bhubaneswar: Odisha has received national recognition for its efforts to improve urban cleanliness, sanitation and waste management at the Swachh Survekshan Awards 2025–26. Puri secured the first position in the Swachh Coastal Town category, while Bhubaneswar was recognised as the state’s first Swachh City. Aska Municipality also secured the second rank among urban local bodies with a population of 20,000 to 50,000.
Housing and Urban Development Minister Dr Krushna Chandra Mahapatra and Additional Chief Secretary of the department Usha Padhee received the award from President Droupadi Murmu at a ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.
The awards recognise the efforts of Odisha’s urban local bodies in improving sanitation standards, strengthening waste management systems and encouraging public participation in cleanliness initiatives. The achievements also reflect the collective contribution of the State Government, municipal bodies, sanitation workers and citizens.
The Swachh Survekshan Awards 2025–26 mark the tenth edition of the annual urban cleanliness and sanitation assessment conducted under the Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban. This year’s edition, themed ‘Swachhata Ki Nayi Pehel – Badhayein Haath, Karein Safai Saath’, marks a decade of efforts to improve urban sanitation through citizen participation, institutional accountability and healthy competition among cities.
The ceremony was attended by Special Secretary-cum-Mission Director, SBM (Urban), Binaya Kumar Dash; Bhubaneswar Mayor Sulochana Das; and officials and representatives of the Bhubaneswar and Puri municipal corporations and Aska Municipality.
The recognition is expected to further strengthen the state’s focus on sustainable waste management, improved sanitation and the development of cleaner and more liveable urban areas.
