City of Nawabs Shines: Lucknow Jumps 41 Spots to Rank 3 in India Cleanest Cities List

City of Nawabs Shines: Lucknow Jumps 41 Spots to Rank 3 in India Cleanest Cities List



LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh’s capital has recorded a dramatic improvement in the Swachh Survekshan-2024 rankings, climbing from 44th place last year to become the third cleanest city in India. The award will be presented in Delhi on July 17 at a ceremony to be held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.


Ahmedabad topped the list, followed by Bhopal, while Lucknow registered the most significant jump among major cities. The rankings were released as part of the central government's cleanliness survey conducted by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.


The Swachh Survekshan evaluates urban cleanliness and waste management, factoring in criteria such as school sanitation, waste segregation, toilet availability, and digital monitoring systems.


Municipal Commissioner and his team credited


The Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) attributed the sharp rise in ranking to year-long efforts by officials and councilors. These included intensified waste collection, public awareness drives, digital tracking of ward-level sanitation, and citizen engagement in waste segregation.


President Droupadi Murmu will felicitate the top cities at the upcoming award function, which LMC officials are scheduled to attend.


State Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna acknowledged the milestone on social media, noting that Lucknow’s jump of 41 spots has set a record in the Swachhata rankings.


Public participation played key role


According to officials, residents actively took part in curbing open dumping and segregating waste at the source, which helped boost overall city scores.


The LMC has also outlined new initiatives to continue this momentum, including waste-to-energy projects, green zone development, and cleanliness programs at the school level.


City’s heritage blends with cleanliness


This recognition adds a new chapter to Lucknow’s identity, long known for its Nawabi heritage, historic monuments, and traditional hospitality. Officials believe the achievement enhances the city’s image for tourists, investors, and residents alike.


Efforts like the beautification of heritage sites, regular street cleaning in old city areas like Chowk and Hazratganj, and lake rejuvenation projects have also contributed to the improved scores. The LMC's use of digital dashboards to track garbage collection and cleanliness ratings in real-time has helped streamline operations and accountability.


The sanitation department’s tie-ups with RWAs, schools, and local influencers for cleanliness awareness has further driven community-level participation.


Launched on October 2, 2014, the Swachh Bharat Mission has driven urban bodies to strengthen sanitation efforts across the country. Lucknow’s climb in the national list is seen as a reflection of consistent improvement and a renewed focus on public hygiene.


Municipal authorities aim to secure the top spot in the coming years, with work already underway to introduce additional measures across wards and public spaces.