LMC kicks off clean ward drive

Lucknow: The Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) launched a citywide ‘Clean ward competition', kicking off a focused cleanliness drive across all 110 wards on Monday. The initiative was inaugurated by mayor Sushma Kharkwal at Vrindavan yojana, in the presence of residents, corporators and civic officials.Calling the campaign crucial to improving the city's national sanitation standing, Kharkwal said the competition would run from Feb 17-28. She said that each ward would be evaluated on 12 parameters designed to bring measurable improvements at the grassroots level rather than symbolic compliance.
After a week of preparatory work, municipal teams will conduct field inspections. Evaluation criteria include source segregation of waste, home and community composting, door-to-door collection, curbs on single-use plastic, maintenance of public toilets, drain and sewer cleaning, zero-waste events, IEC awareness activities, clearance of garbage vulnerable points, clean back lanes, Swachh Sarathi Clubs in educational institutions, and participation of environment promotion committees. Wards will be scored on each parameter, with top performers to be awarded.Kharkwal said, "Lucknow currently ranks 3rd nationally in cleanliness but aims to secure the top position. The corporators, sanitation workers and officials treat the campaign as a mission."A cleanliness awareness rally preceded the launch, moving from Vrindavan yojana road to the venue, with residents, youth and sanitation staff raising slogans and carrying placards.Municipal commissioner Gaurav Kumar, senior civic officials and representatives of Lion Enviro Agency attended the drive.