Top Cleanest Cities in India: Indore Featured for the 7th Time

India has been making significant progress in urban sanitation and waste management, setting new benchmarks for cleanliness through the Swachh Survekshan (SS) initiative. The 9th edition of Swachh Survekshan 2024, launched by the Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal Khattar, introduced a revamped format to ensure fair evaluation.

A new concept, the Super Swachh League, has been introduced to recognize cities that have consistently excelled in cleanliness over the past three years. This categorization is based on population, ensuring a comprehensive and inclusive assessment of urban hygiene standards.

Among all Indian cities, Indore has retained its title as the cleanest city for the seventh consecutive time, alongside 11 other cities that have been awarded for their remarkable cleanliness and sanitation efforts. Let’s take a closer look at the top 12 cleanest cities in India for 2024-25, categorized by population size.

What is Swachh Survekshan?

Swachh Survekshan is the world’s largest urban cleanliness survey, conducted annually by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). The survey assesses urban areas based on various cleanliness and sanitation parameters, including:

• Waste Management Practices (collection, segregation, and disposal)
• Public Feedback (citizen participation and satisfaction)
• On-Site Inspections (real-time verification of cleanliness levels)
• Sanitation Infrastructure (availability and maintenance of toilets, water supply, and drainage systems)
• Certifications (ratings given by third-party agencies)

For 2024, cities that ranked in the top three positions in at least two of the last three years (2021-2023) have qualified for the Super Swachh League.

Super Swachh League 2024: Cleanest Cities in India

To ensure fair evaluation, cities are categorized into five population-based groups. Below is the list of India’s cleanest cities in 2024:

1. Very Small Cities (Population: Less than 20,000)

These cities have demonstrated outstanding waste management and hygiene practices, setting an example for smaller urban areas.

2. Small Cities (Population: 20,000 – 50,000)

Cities in this category have excelled in innovative cleanliness solutions and citizen engagement.

3. Medium Cities (Population: 50,000 – 3,00,000)

With rapid urbanization, these cities have shown consistent improvement in waste segregation and cleanliness awareness.

4. Big Cities (Population: 3,00,000 – 10,00,000)

These cities are leading the way in public sanitation, efficient waste disposal, and eco-friendly initiatives.

5. Million Plus Cities (Population: More than 10,00,000)

The largest category recognizes metropolitan cities that have established robust cleanliness frameworks and public participation models.

Indore: The Cleanest City in India for the 7th Consecutive Year

Indore, often regarded as the gold standard in urban cleanliness, has retained its title as India’s cleanest city for the seventh consecutive year. The city has implemented 100% waste segregation, advanced composting techniques, and digital waste monitoring systems, making it a model city for other urban centers.

Key Factors Behind Indore’s Success:

• 100% Door-to-Door Waste Collection: Every household and commercial establishment follows waste segregation practices.
• Bio-CNG Plant: Indore is home to India’s largest Bio-CNG plant, which converts organic waste into fuel.
• Citizen Participation: Regular cleanliness drives, awareness campaigns, and rewards for maintaining clean surroundings.
• Smart Waste Management: AI-driven garbage monitoring and the integration of GPS-enabled waste collection vehicles.

Why is the Super Swachh League Important?

The Super Swachh League ensures that cities competing for the top rankings are evaluated fairly and transparently, preventing population bias. Cities that have been consistently performing well over multiple years receive due recognition, motivating others to adopt innovative cleanliness initiatives.

Key Benefits of Super Swachh League:

• Encourages healthy competition among cities
• Promotes sustainable waste management practices
• Enhances public participation in cleanliness drives
• Drives innovation in sanitation and waste disposal techniques