[Answered] Despite chaotic appearances, effective urban waste management is achievable, as per Swachh Survekshan. Examine the governance reforms and policy interventions crucial for ensuring sustainable sanitation and livable Indian cities.

Introduction

Swachh Survekshan 2024-25 reveals that sustainable urban sanitation is achievable through robust policy, civic participation, and innovation, despite challenges of scale, behaviour, and institutional inefficiency in Indian cities.

Swachh Survekshan: A Transformative Sanitation Audit

1. The ninth edition of Swachh Survekshan, under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U), covered over 4,500 cities, with 140 million citizens contributing feedback.
2. It has emerged not only as a cleanliness ranking tool but also a driver of urban governance reform.
3. By grading cities across 10 comprehensive parameters—such as source segregation, scientific processing, sanitation worker welfare, and grievance redressal—it promotes evidence-based, competitive federalism.

Governance Reforms Driving Cleanliness

1. Decentralised Accountability in Urban Local Bodies (ULBs): With India generating over 1.5 lakh tonnes of solid waste daily, waste governance must begin at the city ward level. Swachh Survekshan has prompted several ULBs to institutionalise segregation, collection, and processing mechanisms. Surat, for example, transformed from a garbage-prone city to one of India’s cleanest through automation, GIS-based bin mapping, and robust monitoring systems.
2. Population-Based Grading and League Formation: The 2025 survey introduced population stratification into five categories, offering fairer competition and benchmarking. Additionally, the Super Swachh League created room for cities like Lucknow and Ahmedabad to enter top ranks, avoiding the usual dominance of Indore and Navi Mumbai. This decentralised recognition has promoted inclusivity in policy outcomes.
3. Grievance Redressal and Citizen Feedback Mechanisms: Digital platforms like SBM Urban and Swachhata App have improved citizen engagement. Participatory grievance systems and real-time tracking (e.g., GPS-enabled waste vehicles in Noida) have enhanced transparency and responsiveness in service delivery.

Innovation and Sustainable Practices

1. Circular Economy in Waste: The survey’s theme, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (RRR), aligns with global sustainable waste practices. Pune has leveraged cooperatives of ragpickers to institutionalise decentralised waste recovery. Agra’s transformation of the toxic Kuberpur landfill into a green zone using biomining and bioremediation exemplifies innovation.
2. Waste-to-Wealth and Waste-to-Energy (WtE): India currently has around 15 WtE plants, but concerns about commercial viability remain. SBM-U’s ‘Waste to Wealth’ vision necessitates policy incentives for private investors. Cities like Surat, which generate revenue from sewage-treated water, demonstrate that monetising waste is possible.
3. Tourism-Linked Sanitation: Cities with high footfall like Prayagraj and Varanasi have shown that clean infrastructure boosts pilgrimage and tourism. India receives less than 1.5% of global tourist arrivals—an issue sanitation reform can help address.

Challenges and Way Forward

1. Behavioural Change: Despite SBM’s success in eliminating open defecation, cultural shifts around waste reduction and responsible consumption remain limited.
2. Plastic and E-Waste Management: Only 60% of plastic waste is recycled in India, and e-waste volumes are rising. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and robust enforcement are essential.
3. ULB Capacity and Financing: ULBs often lack staff and financial capacity. Tools like Performance-Based Grants under the 15th Finance Commission must be fully leveraged.

Conclusion

Swachh Survekshan shows that clean cities are attainable through innovation, decentralised governance, and citizen participation. Scaling such models will ensure sustainable sanitation and urban livability in India’s rapidly urbanising future.