THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi/New Delhi, July 17: Jharkhand continues to make its mark in the field of urban sanitation. In the recently announced results of the Swachh Sarvekshan 2024–25, Jamshedpur secured the third rank among cities with a population between 3 to 10 lakh, while Bundu was recognized as Jharkhand’s “Promising Clean City.”
The awards were presented on Thursday at a national event held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, in the presence of President Droupadi Murmu.
Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar, Minister of State Tokhan Sahu, and Ministry Secretary Srinivas Katikithala also attended the event and congratulated the people of Jharkhand, the Urban Development Department, and especially the citizens of Jamshedpur and Bundu for their achievements.
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Jamshedpur Earns Five-Star Tag, Other Cities Also Excel
Apart from the top honours, Jharkhand’s performance stood out in several other categories of the national cleanliness survey.
Jamshedpur was awarded the prestigious five-star city status, while Deoghar, Jugsalai, and Chakulia earned one-star rankings. Jamshedpur was also listed among the “Water Plus” cities for its sanitation infrastructure.
In the ODF++ (Open Defecation Free Plus Plus) category, cities like Bundu, Chirkunda, Rajmahal, Sahebganj, and Deoghar were recognized for their consistent efforts in maintaining high sanitation standards.
A Journey of Transformation Since 2016
Jharkhand’s transformation in cleanliness has been remarkable. While the state had limited recognition in the 2016 Swachh Sarvekshan, it has steadily climbed the ranks year after year—from 2017 to 2023—due to the combined efforts of urban local bodies, the state government, and active citizen participation.
Officials attribute this consistent improvement to the leadership of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, the guidance of Urban Development Minister Sudivya Kumar, and the dedication of sanitation workers across the state.
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Officials Acknowledge Public Support and Team Effort
Principal Secretary of the Urban Development and Housing Department, Sunil Kumar, credited the state’s success to the Chief Minister’s leadership, the minister’s direction, and the cooperation of the public. He expressed hope that Jharkhand will perform even better in future surveys and urged all municipal bodies to prioritize cleanliness in their daily operations.
Representing the Jharkhand government at the award ceremony were Urban Development and Housing Department Principal Secretary Sunil Kumar, State Urban Development Agency (SUDA) Director Suraj Kumar, Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee (JNAC) Special Officer Krishan Kumar, and officials from Bundu Nagar Panchayat, who received the awards on behalf of their respective cities.
