With over 8 lakh cleanliness target units transformed during Swachhata Hi Seva 2024, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has urged the states to prioritise visible urban cleanliness by identifying neglected, difficult, and dark spots and ensuring transformation and beautification within a defined timeframe.
The MoHUA convened a high-level virtual meeting with all states and UTs on Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0.
Under the chairmanship of Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal in the presence of MoS, MoHUA, Tokhan Sahu and Secretary, MoHUA S Katikithala, the meeting prioritised visible cleanliness in urban India and the double-pronged approach of identification and transformation of Cleanliness Target Units (CTUs).
Highlighting the critical role of CTUs as engines of change for urban development and policy implementation, the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister emphasised that cleanliness and urban development go hand in hand, describing them as two sides of the same coin.
The Ministry has drafted a framework for time-bound clearance of these urban lands, that focuses on regular reviews and aggressive monitoring by States, citizen mobilization and interface for mapping CTUs via Swachhata App, fast-tracking and time-bound clearance of the mapped sites, beautification to reclaim the land and prevent re-accumulation.
These CTUs will be mapped on the https://swachhatahiseva.gov.in/ portal.
With focus on the ignored and difficult sports, the cities have been advised to identify the Legacy Waste Dumpsites as high-intensity CTUs that will require time and resources for transformation. ULBs may collaborate with PSUs, private firms, CSR groups, NGOs, startups, and other stakeholders for adoption of these CTUs.
The cities should encourage the use and adoption of the Swachhata App to identify and transform CTUs. With over 2 crore registered users, the app captures location, images, and CTU details when issues are reported, and auto-assigns them to ward officials. Notifications are sent at submission and resolution, with a 7-day window for citizens to confirm or reopen complaints.
Reiterating Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to action for swachhata, the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister said, “CTU cleaning is about converting eyesores into areas of pride, restoring dignity of public spaces, and ensuring that cleanliness is not just on paper, but visible, felt, and experienced by every citizen in their daily lives.”