Modi Lauds Swachh Bharat Mission as a Representation of Mass Resolve in 124th Mann Ki Baat Broadcast
The Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), launched in 2014, has been a shining example of teamwork and creativity, successfully transforming sanitation and cleanliness in India. As it approaches its eleventh anniversary, the mission continues to promote sustainable practices and unify the nation in the fight for a better, cleaner future.
The mission's success is evident in the construction of over 11 crore toilets and the declaration of around 6 lakh villages as Open Defecation Free (ODF). In urban areas, out of 4910 Urban Local Bodies, 4692 are ODF certified, with many certified further as ODF+, ODF++, or Water+, reflecting higher sanitation standards.
The Swachh Survekshan cleanliness survey, now the world’s largest urban cleanliness audit, drives competition and community involvement. In 2024-25, more than 14 crore citizens participated, reinforcing public engagement.
SBM 2.0, particularly Urban 2.0, focuses on sustainable waste management, scientific processing of garbage, and legacy waste remediation, with increased citizen participation and peer learning among cities. A new program, Accelerated Dumpsite Remediation, launched in August 2025, aims to fast-track scientific remediation of legacy waste dumpsites, unlocking urban land and increasing waste processing capacity significantly.
Waste management initiatives under SBM 2.0 include support for compost pits and segregation at village levels, promotion of waste-to-energy through schemes like Gobardhan Yojana, and implementation of Plastic Waste Management Rules to reduce single-use plastics. The mission now emphasizes solid and liquid waste management integration, wastewater treatment, and reduction of landfill burden via scientific disposal and recycling, promoting an environmentally sustainable urban-rural sanitary ecosystem.
Regarding women’s involvement, sanitation campaigns link hygiene to dignity and safety, notably through programs like Hamara Shauchalay: Hamara Samman, which targets female safety at sanitation facilities. Empowering women through safe and clean sanitation infrastructure has been a vital mission component supporting their health, privacy, and social inclusion.
The Lucknow Gomti River cleaning team, which has been cleaning the river every Sunday for ten years, is a testament to the ongoing effort required to maintain cleanliness. The prime minister has emphasized that the country will remain clean only if cleanliness is prioritized every day and every moment of the year.
India's cities are leading by example in areas such as water management in Karad and Vijayawada, and riverfront cleanups in Ahmedabad. The Swachh Bharat Mission empowers women and fosters public involvement, bringing India together in the fight for a better, cleaner future.
References:
- Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) 2.0
- Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) 2.0
- Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban 2.0: Policy Framework
- Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban 2.0: Vision Document
- Swachh Survekshan 2024-25
- The Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) continues to champion environmental sustainability and scientific approaches in waste management, as exemplified by its focus on green initiatives like compost pits, waste-to-energy schemes, and integrated solid and liquid waste management.
- With the introduction of courses in environmental science, it's crucial for NGOs to foster educational programs that emphasize the importance of sustainable living and climate-change awareness, aiming to instill green habits within home-and-garden lifestyle practices for a more sustainable world.
- In line with corporate social responsibility (ESG), businesses must incorporate environmental conservation in their reporting strategies by supporting SBM's objectives and initiating green projects that contribute towards a cleaner environment and sustainable living.
- As the SBM advances, citizens can take pride in their collaborative efforts, transforming their lifestyles to align with environmental concerns, and supporting the mission by reducing, reusing, and recycling resources within their homes and surrounding communities.
- By supporting SBM's legacy waste remediation programs, scientific waste processing systems, and waste-to-energy schemes, we can help ensure that our cities are not only cleaner but also greener, in line with the mission's focus on promoting a sustainable future for all.
- Through holistic strategies that encompass science, policy, and community engagement, the Swachh Bharat Mission serves as a model for international collaboration in addressing global environmental challenges such as climate-change mitigation and improved waste management practices.
