This Port Named Cleanest Port of the Year At Swachhata Pakhwada 2025

For a India’s cleanliness and sustainability drive, Paradip Port Authority has emerged as the cleanest-performing major port, winning the First Prize at the Swachhata Pakhwada Awards 2025. The award, instituted by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, recognizes outstanding efforts in sanitation, green initiatives and community participation. The achievement highlights how ports are no longer just trade gateways, but active partners in the Swachh Bharat Mission and inclusive development.

Cleanest Port Of the Year 2025

• Paradip Port Authority has emerged as India’s cleanest-performing major port, earning the First Prize at the Swachhata Pakhwada Awards 2025.
• This recognition reflects sustained efforts in sanitation, environmental management, and inclusive participation rather than one-time cleanliness drives.
• The port adopted a holistic approach by combining infrastructure hygiene with behavioral change, green initiatives, and worker welfare.
• Large-scale cleanliness campaigns, strict waste management, elimination of single-use plastics, and community-led activities transformed port and nearby public spaces.

Award Ceremony Swachhata Pakhwada Awards 2025

• The award was presented in New Delhi on 3 February 2026 by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, in the presence of Minister of State Shantanu Thakur and MoPSW Secretary Vijay Kumar (IAS).
• The honour was received by P. L. Haranadh, Chairman of Paradip Port Authority, on behalf of the port’s workforce.
• The recognition places Paradip Port at the forefront of sustainable port operations in India.

About Swachhata Pakhwada

• Swachhata Pakhwada is a flagship cleanliness campaign under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, focusing on behavioural change, waste management and community involvement.
• Ports and maritime institutions are evaluated on citizen engagement, green practices and Safai Mitra welfare.
• Winning this award signals not just operational hygiene, but leadership in environmental stewardship and social responsibility.

Jan Bhagidari: People at the Centre

• Under the Jan Bhagidari pillar, Paradip Port Authority ensured mass public participation through cleanliness drives across schools, temples, beaches, ponds and port premises.
• Activities like cyclothons, Swachhata Runs, rallies, Swachhata Raths, human chains and the “Ek Din Ek Ghanta Ek Saath” campaign reinforced the idea that cleanliness is a shared civic duty, not merely an administrative task.

Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam: Green Commitment

• A major highlight was the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam initiative, where large-scale plantation drives converted neglected zones into green spaces.
• Notably, 40,000 saplings were planted at Paradip Sea Beach under Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0 to mark the birthday of Narendra Modi.
• This initiative strengthened climate action, coastal protection and long-term environmental sustainability.

Safai Mitra Suraksha: Dignity and Welfare

• The Safai Mitra Suraksha pillar focused on the health, safety and dignity of sanitation workers.
• Medical check-ups, formal recognition and special felicitation programmes were organized, acknowledging their indispensable contribution.
• By prioritising Safai Mitras, Paradip Port set an example of inclusive cleanliness that values human effort as much as infrastructure.

Innovation, Awareness and Waste-to-Wealth

• Paradip Port also ran campaigns against single-use plastics, using street theatre, rallies and cotton bag distribution.
• Innovative initiatives like Scrap to Structure and Waste to Wealth exhibitions showcased sustainable reuse of materials.
• Additional activities such as blood donation camps, Swachhata-themed art competitions and renovation under Special Campaign 5.0 embedded cleanliness into everyday port culture.

Static Facts

• Award: Swachhata Pakhwada Awards 2025
• Winner of Cleanest Port Of Year: Paradip Port Authority
• Ministry: Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
• Core Pillars: Jan Bhagidari, Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam, Safai Mitra Suraksha

Question

Q. The Swachhata Pakhwada Awards are instituted by which ministry?

A. Ministry of Environment
B. Ministry of Urban Development
C. Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
D. Ministry of Jal Shakti