Odisha achieved major national recognition for its transforming urban sanitation and sustainable waste management initiatives at the prestigious Swachh Survekshan Awards 2025–26 held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, presented the awards to Odisha’s Housing & Urban Development (H&UD) Minister, Dr. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, alongside Additional Chief Secretary Smt. Usha Padhee, in a grand ceremony celebrating a decade of urban cleanliness achievements under the Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban.
Key Urban Local Body Achievements
Odisha’s performance across diverse municipal categories highlighted the state’s comprehensive push toward sustainable sanitation:
| Urban Local Body (ULB) | Category / Recognition | National Rank / Status |
| Puri | Swachh Coastal Town | 1st Position |
| Bhubaneswar | Odisha’s First State Swachh City | Recognized Leader |
| Aska Municipality | Population Category (20,000 – 50,000) | 2nd Rank |
The historic seaside town of Puri led the country in coastal cleanliness, while state capital Bhubaneswar established itself as Odisha’s primary Swachh benchmark. Meanwhile, Aska Municipality demonstrated how smaller urban local bodies can pioneer high standards in civic cleanliness and community waste segregation.
Celebrating a Decade of Transformation
The 2025–26 edition marked the 10th anniversary of the Swachh Survekshan assessments—the world’s largest urban sanitation evaluation platform. Under this year’s umbrella theme, “Swachhata Ki Nayi Pehel – Badhayein Haath, Karein Safai Saath,” the awards emphasised civic engagement, institutional efficiency, and cooperative action.
Attending the ceremony alongside the minister were key delegation members, including:
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Shri Binaya Kumar Dash, Special Secretary-cum-Mission Director, SBM (Urban)
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Smt. Sulochana Das, Mayor, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation
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Senior administrative leadership from Bhubaneswar, Puri, and Aska Municipalities
A Blueprint for Cleaner Cities
This national triumph highlights the collaborative drive between state policies, municipal execution, frontline sanitation workers, and active public participation. The recognition reinforces Odisha’s ongoing strategy to scale zero-waste infrastructure, integrate sustainable waste processing methods, and build healthier, more resilient urban communities across the state.
