VMC intensifies efforts for top Swachhata ranking

Varanasi: The Varanasi Municipal Corporation (VMC) has geared up not just to keep the city clean, but to make it completely spick and span.The VMC is leaving no stone unturned to get Varanasi included among the top three cities of the country in the upcoming Swachhata Survekshan 2025-26. In this regard, a workshop was organised on Thursday at the commissioner's auditorium. Municipal commissioner Himanshu Nagpal made it clear that merely picking up garbage is no longer enough; rather, work needs to be done on every small aspect related to the beautification of the city.The municipal commissioner told the officials that Varanasi is the parliamentary constituency of the Prime Minister and cleanliness is on his primary agenda. In such a situation, along with door-to-door waste collection and source segregation (separation of waste), issues like the condition of public toilets in the city, wall painting, painting of rusted poles and hanging electric wires should be rectified on priority. He said that it is a collective responsibility to identify shortcomings and get them fixed at all costs. He said that those who throw garbage on roads or those who do not give dry and wet waste separately should be identified and fined.Additional municipal commissioner Savita Yadav directed the officials to make people aware in those wards where four-category dustbins and stickers were distributed, to ensure 100% source segregation.All zonal officers, health inspectors, and tax superintendents received an inspection checklist. They were asked to visit their respective areas and submit reports so that shortcomings can be rectified in time. In the Swachh Survekshan 2024-25, Varanasi city secured the 17th position among cities with a population over 10 lakh, while Varanasi Cantonment Board was ranked 7th nationally and first in Uttar Pradesh. However, the Best Ganga Town Award was given to Varanasi, recognising its exemplary waste management and cleanliness along the Ganga.