CM Nayab Singh Saini Launches Statewide Cleanliness Drive in Panchkula, Announces Swachhata Ranking for Urban Bodies

Chandigarh, September 25 — Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Wednesday launched a special cleanliness campaign “Ek Din, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath” in Panchkula, urging citizens to make hygiene a part of their daily lives. He emphasized that cleanliness should not be limited to symbolic campaigns but practiced consistently to ensure villages, towns, and cities remain clean.

Speaking at the inauguration held at the Shaheed Memorial in Sector 2, Saini paid floral tribute to Shaheed Major Sandeep Sankhla and sought blessings from his mother, Smt. Manju Kanwar. He later participated in shramdaan as part of the campaign, encouraging social organizations, youth, and citizens to actively contribute.

The Chief Minister announced that a Swachhata Ranking system will soon be introduced for urban local bodies to foster healthy competition in cleanliness. Best-performing bodies will be rewarded, and sanitation workers will also be recognized for their efforts. He further said that nearly 1.5 lakh tonnes of waste at Panchkula’s Sector-23 dumping ground would be cleared and disposed of scientifically to make the city cleaner and greener.

Highlighting Haryana’s achievements, Saini said the state has already set several milestones in sanitation. Haryana was declared Open Defecation Free (ODF) in 2018, and multiple urban bodies have since achieved ODF+, ODF++ certification. Nearly 7.3 lakh toilets have been built in rural households, along with 6,000 public toilets, over 66,000 household toilets in cities, and more than 9,000 community and public toilets.

Saini also noted that Haryana performed strongly in the Swachh Survekshan 2024-25, where Karnal received the Clean City Award from President Droupadi Murmu, and Sonipat was honored with the Ministerial Star Award. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Swachh Bharat Mission, launched in 2014, for inspiring these achievements.

The Chief Minister added that Haryana has planted 18 crore saplings since 2014 and aims to plant another 2.1 crore this year, underlining the role of greenery in combating pollution and enhancing urban beauty.

Urban Local Bodies Commissioner and Secretary Vikas Gupta also addressed the gathering, stating that under CM Saini’s leadership, efforts are underway to make all cities in Haryana among the cleanest within the next six months through mission-mode waste collection and disposal.

The event was attended by Panchkula Mayor Kulbhushan Goyal, former Assembly Speaker Gyan Chand Gupta, Shivalik Development Board Vice Chairman Omprakash Devingar, along with senior officials and citizens.