India’s Cleanest City Mysuru

Mysuru has been rated India’s ‘cleanest city’ for the second time in a row. The city came first in a survey called Swachh Sarvekshan, which included 73 municipalities with a population of more than 1 million. It was conducted by Quality Council of India, which sent out 25 teams of trained surveyors between 5 January and 25 January to verify documents, make observations and procure citizen feedback. They assessed measures taken by individual cities to improve sanitation, the kind of infrastructure available, efforts to bring about behavioural changes among citizens on the importance of cleanliness, and the impact of the Swachh Bharat Mission.

Last August, Mysuru had been placed on top in a survey on sanitation commissioned by the Urban Development Ministry that had looked at 476 cities. It found that Mysuru had the least open defecation and the best solid waste management practices. At the time, an Indian Express article had listed historical reasons behind the city’s culture of cleanliness—with its Wodeyar kings laying much emphasis on city planning. ‘Instead of one centralised market where waste piles up, Mysuru has had four markets since the days of the Wodeyars. This has ensured more efficient waste disposal in the city. The Wodeyars’ decision to set aside 900 acres for a sewage treatment plant has helped subsequent civic administrators handle the problem of Mysuru’s sewage disposal… Door to door collection of garbage is efficient with the participation of civic groups and NGOs,’ noted the article.

Meanwhile the dirtiest city in the present survey turns out to be Dhanbad. Mumbai was ranked the 10th best, which is something that most people living there would disagree with, given what they see with their own eyes.

cleanest cityMysuruSwachh SarvekshanWodeyar kings