Indore has secured the distinction of being the cleanest city for the consecutive fourth term as Swachh Survey-2020 results were declared on Thursday.
Indore, a densely populated urban area and a flourishing hub of trade and commerce, is among the worst affected Covid-19 cities in India and remained among top ten worst affected cities for a while.
First city to report five cases in March third week in Madhya Pradesh, Indore’s case only worsened in the weeks to come and presently the city has 10,370 cases of infections (Health bulletin Aug 19) including 346 deaths.
However, the administration busy fighting a tough battle against the lethal virus remained committed to cause of cleanliness and while keeping eyes focussed on the coveted crown of the cleanest Indian city for record fourth term.
The city broke in jubilation and celebrations as the results were announced in New Delhi on Wednesday and Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and his Ministers and bureaucrats joined the event on video call from Bhopal.
Locals in Indore celebrated the feat and safai mitras (sanitation workers) were honoured everywhere.
Underlining the commitment to cleanliness, BJP MP from Indore Shankar Lalwani said that amid Covid-19 worst outbreak in the city, the municipal staff was in crucial dual role of keeping the city clean and also ensuring supplies of vegetables and grocery in households locked due to prohibitive measures.
“Imagine our safai mitras visited hosueholds for collecting garbage daily even in homes where positive patients were detected and the entire area was sealed by the administration,” said Lalwani lauding the contribution of the safai mitras and underlined importance of active public participation in this civic drive.