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SWACHH

Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs - MoHUA:

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) serves as the central authority driving the implementation of the Swachh Bharat Mission Urban (SBM-U), playing a pivotal role in realizing the vision of a clean, green, and garbage-free urban India. Since the mission's inception in 2014, MoHUA has been at the forefront of strategizing, planning, and monitoring activities to ensure the effective execution of SBM initiatives across urban local bodies (ULBs). As the nodal ministry, MoHUA coordinates with state governments, urban agencies, and other stakeholders to ensure cohesive and result-oriented efforts towards waste management, sanitation, and behavioral change. It has introduced frameworks such as the Garbage-Free Cities (GFC) star rating and Swachh Survekshan, an annual cleanliness survey, to foster healthy competition among cities and promote excellence in sanitation and waste management practices.

Through SBM-U 2.0, MoHUA has significantly expanded its focus areas to address emerging challenges in urban waste management, including the remediation of legacy waste dumpsites, safe disposal of construction and demolition waste, and sustainable wastewater management. The ministry has embraced innovative approaches, such as leveraging digital tools and technologies for real-time monitoring of waste collection and processing, developing public-private partnerships for resource recovery, and integrating the principles of a circular economy. Capacity-building initiatives for ULBs and sanitation workers have also been a priority to ensure they are equipped with the knowledge and tools to implement effective solutions.

MoHUA places a strong emphasis on community engagement and behavioral change through targeted Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaigns, ensuring citizens become active participants in maintaining cleanliness and hygiene. The ministry collaborates with NGOs, private entities, and academic institutions to amplify the impact of these initiatives. By fostering an ecosystem of collaboration, innovation, and accountability, MoHUA has successfully turned Swachh Bharat into a people’s movement, transforming urban landscapes and setting benchmarks for sustainable urban development. Its unwavering commitment to SBM-U activities underscores the ministry’s dedication to building a cleaner, healthier, and more inclusive urban India.