Uttar Pradesh is rapidly gaining a national reputation for cleanliness, a significant shift for India's most populous state. This success isn't a coincidence; it's built on the award-winning efforts of its cities, each with a unique story.
A State-Wide Transformation
Uttar Pradesh's
recent achievements in the Swachh Survekshan, the central government's annual cleanliness survey, signal a major transformation. In the 2023 awards, the state saw two of its major cities, Varanasi and Prayagraj, win top national honours. This is a historic first, highlighting a broader trend of improvement across the state. The number of 'Garbage-Free Cities' (GFC) in UP surged from just 11 to 65 in one year, while 129 cities achieved the coveted ODF++ status, which certifies robust waste and sanitation management. These numbers point to a coordinated, state-wide push under the Swachh Bharat Mission that goes beyond mere toilet construction to encompass comprehensive waste management and citizen participation.
Noida: The State's Cleanest City
Noida stands out as a beacon of modern urban management in Uttar Pradesh. In the Swachh Survekshan 2023, it was declared the cleanest city in the state and ranked 14th nationally among cities with over one lakh population. Its success is built on a multi-pronged strategy. Noida is the only city in UP to receive both a 5-star GFC rating and a Water+ certification, the highest level for being open defecation free and managing wastewater. The city scored a perfect 100% in key areas like the cleanliness of residential zones, markets, water bodies, and public toilets. This consistent performance—a huge leap from its 324th rank in 2018—is credited to a robust system of door-to-door waste collection, effective processing at Material Recovery Facility centres, and the reuse of treated sewage water for non-potable purposes.
Varanasi: Cleanliness on the Holy Ghats
For a city of immense spiritual significance and high footfall like Varanasi, maintaining cleanliness presents a unique challenge. In the Swachh Survekshan 2023, Varanasi regained its position as the 'Cleanest Ganga Town', a prestigious award recognising its efforts to keep the holy river and its ghats pristine. This achievement is particularly noteworthy as it surpassed other major towns along the Ganga. The city's administration, along with citizen groups, has implemented focused sanitation drives and waste management systems tailored to its unique character. While its overall national ranking has fluctuated, its consistent top performance in the Ganga Town category demonstrates a successful, targeted approach to one of its most vital natural and cultural assets. The city also earned a 3-star GFC rating, reflecting broader improvements in its urban sanitation infrastructure.
Ghaziabad: A Story of Steady Improvement
Ghaziabad's journey is one of remarkable progress. Once ranked a dismal 351st in the Swachh Survekshan, the city has climbed steadily through the ranks. In the 2023 results, it was the secondndndndndndndndndndndndndndndndndndndndndndndndcleanest city in Uttar Pradesh and 38th nationally in its category. A key driver of this turnaround has been a focus on systematic waste management. The Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation expanded its doorrdto door collection service to all 100 wards and has been working to improve source segregation, even though it remains a challenge. The city scored highly on remediating old dumpsites and ensuring the cleanliness of public areas and water bodies. Ghaziabad also received a 3rdstar GFC rating and an ODF++ certificate, signalling its commitment to sustainable sanitation practices.
