Outshining several big States on sanitation front, Jharkhand emerged as the second best performing State after Chhattisgarh in the coveted ‘Swachh Survekshan 2019’.
The results of the one month long competition were announced on Wednesday in New Delhi. The world’s largest cleanliness survey started on January 4 covered 4,237 cities of India.
Pitching way for a cleaner Jharkhand through espousing diverse sustainable ways, cities like Ranchi, Sahibganj, Rajmahal, Gumla, Chakardharpur, Phusro NP, Pakur and Chatra left their distinct marks grabbing the top slots on various defined parameters of the sanitation competition.
Besides, receiving the ‘Best Performing Award’, the Capital Ranchi is declared best city in ‘citizens’ feedback’ group among the several State capitals and union territories (UTs).
Similarly, Chakardharpur emerged as one of the best cities in the eastern zone in ‘citizens’ feedback’ group, covering a population of more than 50,000 and less than one lakh while Chatra too received the award as a best city in ‘citizens’ feedback’ in east zone having a total population more than 25,000 but less than 50,000.
In addition, Gumla was felicitated under the subhead - best city in ‘innovation and best practices’ in the east zone having a population of more than 50,000 but less than one lakh while Phusro NP got the award under the category ‘best city in solid waste management’ in east zone among the cities with have less than one lakh population. Maintaining its position, Pakur got the tag of the cleanest city in east zone having a population of less than 50,000.
Meanwhile, defeating several other cities which lie on the bank of river Ganga, Jharkhand’s two districts have been figured in the list of ‘Ganga Town Awardees’. Rajmahal clinched second while Sahibganj was placed in the third position in the ‘Ganga Town Awardees’ list.
Final consolidated ranks of the cities released by Ministry of Housing and Urban Affair, GoI in accordance to the population suggested that six cities of Jharkhand have been enlisted in the list of top 100 clean cities. Towns like Jamshedpur (15), Ranchi (46), Dhanbad (56), Hazaribagh (64), Chas (66) and Mango (95) have performed tremendously well, covering a population of more than one lakh.
Bundu (6), Pakur (8), Phusro (20), Chatra (21), Rajmahal (24), Godda (32), Garhwa (43), Jhumritiliya (45), Madhupur (57), Sahebganj (58), Seraikela (61), Chakardharpur (64), Chirkunda (70), Lohardaga (78), Simdega (95), Koderma (99) and Gumla (100) are among the top100 cleanest Indian cities with less than one lakh population.
The awards were conferred to the respective States at Vigyan Bhawan – New Delhi by President of India, Ram Nath Kovind. As many as 42 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) of Jharkhand had been covered in the sanitation survey -19.
Expressing contentment over the performance of the State, Minister – Department of Urban Development, Housing and Planning, CP Singh said that due to the efforts, coordination of all the departments including the support of the residents, Jharkhand has been able to clinch several awards in different categories.
Secretary- Department of Urban Development, Housing and Planning, Ajoy Kumar Sing, Director --State Urban Development Agency (SUDA), Amit Kumar, Mayor Asha Lakra, Town Commissioner Manoj Kumar and others were present during the felicitation ceremony.