President Droupadi Murmu has called for greater use of citizen feedback, sanitation technology, and startup-led innovation to improve urban cleanliness, while emphasizing the growing importance of Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities in India’s development journey.
KHABAR 365 NEWS NETWORK
New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday stressed that citizens should play a central role in shaping cleaner and healthier cities, stating that public feedback must go beyond surveys and rankings to become a powerful tool for improving municipal services and addressing local challenges.
Addressing the Swachh Survekshan Awards 2025-26 ceremony in New Delhi, the President said citizens are the best judges of the cleanliness of their surroundings. She noted that regular citizen participation can help local administrations identify shortcomings, improve service delivery, and strengthen accountability.
The President also highlighted the need for effective, affordable, and safe sanitation technologies to meet the country’s growing urban needs. She expressed satisfaction that several Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and scientific research organizations are actively working on innovative solutions in the sanitation sector.
Pointing to the rise of startups focused on cleanliness and waste management, President Murmu said such enterprises have the potential to address real-world sanitation challenges while generating employment opportunities. She described innovation and entrepreneurship as important drivers of sustainable urban development.
Emphasizing the rapid growth of India’s smaller urban centers, the President called for special attention to the capacity-building of Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. She said these cities face unique challenges and require development strategies tailored to their specific needs within a broader national framework.
The President further observed that planners in Tier-2 cities can learn valuable lessons from the experiences of Tier-1 cities. By studying the challenges faced by larger urban centers and the solutions adopted to address them, emerging cities can better prepare for future growth.
The Swachh Survekshan Awards, organized by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, recognize India’s cleanest cities and honour outstanding contributions made under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban.
Khabar 365 Takeaway
“Clean cities cannot be built by governments alone. President Murmu’s message is clear: citizen participation, smart sanitation technologies, innovative startups, and stronger Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities will be the driving forces behind India’s next phase of urban cleanliness and development.”
Leave a Reply