Metro India News | AMARAVATI

As part of the Swarnandhra-Swachh Andhra initiative, the Municipal Administration & Panchayat Raj departments presented a progress report based on 14 cleanliness indicators. These include individual toilets, public restrooms, door-to-door waste collection, solid waste segregation and management, community soak pits, and model villages adhering to Open Defecation Free (ODF) Plus norms.

Each district was ranked based on a 200-point system, with the highest marks allocated for waste segregation (35 points), door-to-door collection (15 points), and solid waste management (20 points).

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has called on every citizen to actively participate in the Swachh Andhra Mission, emphasizing that cleanliness is a collective responsibility rather than an individual or institutional effort. Reviewing the state’s progress under the initiative, he underscored the importance of strategic planning and execution to achieve sustainable cleanliness and environmental goals.

The state government has implemented a dedicated monthly initiative called Swarnandhra-Swachh Andhra, observed on the third Saturday of every month, with a specific theme to raise public awareness. In January, the theme was “New Year Clean Start,” while February focuses on “Source & Resource”, encouraging efficient utilization of state resources for sustainable development.

The Chief Minister highlighted key objectives, including improving living standards, promoting tourism, attracting investments, achieving sustainable development goals, and advancing towards net-zero environmental impact. He instructed officials to focus on comprehensive waste management, public health, and adherence to central government cleanliness targets.

CM Naidu emphasized that Swachh Andhra should not be limited to homes but must extend to public spaces, schools, government offices, industries, and places of worship. He called on every individual, employee, and institution to contribute to maintaining a clean environment. The initiative, he stated, should not be seen as the responsibility of any single department but as a statewide movement for cleanliness, greenery, and environmental protection.

Apart from cleanliness, CM Naidu also emphasized the need for environmental conservation. He directed officials to monitor air quality and take necessary measures in high-pollution areas. The Pollution Control Board was urged to proactively address environmental concerns before they escalate.