Odisha bags national honours at Swachh Survekshan 2025–26; Puri tops coastal city rankings

Bhubaneswar, Nov 11: Odisha has received national recognition at the Swachh Survekshan Awards 2025–26 for its sustained efforts in urban sanitation, cleanliness, and sustainable waste management, officials said on Tuesday.

The award was presented at a ceremony held at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi, where President Droupadi Murmu honoured the State's representatives.

The award was received on behalf of Odisha by Dr. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, Minister for Housing and Urban Development, and Usha Padhee, Additional Chief Secretary of the Housing and Urban Development Department.

Puri Leads the Way

Adding to the State's achievement, Puri secured the top position in the Clean Coastal City category. Bhubaneswar was recognised as Odisha's first State-level Swachh City, while Asika Municipality secured the second position among Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in the population category of 20,000 to 50,000.

The recognition reflects the progress made by Odisha's urban centres in cleanliness, sanitation infrastructure, scientific waste management and active citizen participation.

Collective Effort

The State government said the national recognition acknowledges the combined efforts of urban local bodies, sanitation workers and citizens in making Odisha's towns and cities cleaner, healthier and more liveable.

The achievement is also seen as a significant milestone in promoting public participation and social responsibility while transforming cleanliness into a people's movement across urban areas.

About the Survey

Conducted under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban), Swachh Survekshan Awards 2025–26 mark the tenth edition of the world's largest urban sanitation and cleanliness assessment exercise.

This year's theme, "Swachhata Ki Nayi Pahal – Badhayein Haath, Karen Safai Saath", celebrated a decade of transformation in urban sanitation through citizen engagement, institutional accountability and healthy competition among cities.
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Among those present at the award ceremony were Binay Kumar Dash, Principal Secretary and Mission Director of Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban); Sulochana Das, Mayor of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation; representatives of Puri Municipal Corporation; and officials of Asika Municipality.

The State government said the recognition would further strengthen Odisha's commitment to improving urban sanitation systems, promoting sustainable waste management practices and building clean, inclusive and liveable cities.