Mysuru has reclaimed its reputation as a beacon of urban cleanliness by securing a coveted spot in the Super Swachh League (SSL), a new elite category in the Swachh Survekshan 2024-25 under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U). Once crowned India’s cleanest city in 2016, Mysuru had slipped to 27th in 2023-24 but has now made a stunning recovery, joining cities like Noida, Chandigarh, and Ujjain in the SSL for cities with populations between 3 lakh and 10 lakh.
Key Points:
- Mysuru is Karnataka’s only city in the Super Swachh League, recognized for consistent excellence.
- SSL cities are not ranked but celebrated for surpassing survey standards.
- Reflects Mysuru’s legacy of cleanliness, driven by robust sanitation systems and citizen engagement.
Bengaluru’s Climb to 36th in National Rankings
Bengaluru, managed by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), has shown improvement in the Swachh Survekshan 2024-25, climbing to 36th out of 44 cities in the million-plus population category, up from 125th last year. Despite the progress, Bengaluru ranks 15th within Karnataka, trailing behind Davanagere and Hubballi-Dharwad.
Key Points:
- Bengaluru scored 6,842 points, compared to Hyderabad’s 11,805 (6th) and Chennai’s 6,822 (38th).
- BBMP aims to improve with an Integrated Solid Waste Management system.
- Challenges remain in waste processing and construction debris management.
The Super Swachh League: A New Benchmark
The Super Swachh League is a prestigious category introduced to honor cities with sustained excellence in cleanliness over multiple years. Mysuru’s inclusion highlights its long-term commitment to sanitation, waste segregation, and community participation, setting a model for others to follow.
Key Points:
- SSL includes top performers like Indore, Surat, Navi Mumbai, and Mysuru.
- Focuses on cities excelling in waste management, wastewater treatment, and citizen feedback.
- Mysuru’s turnaround from 27th to SSL reflects dedicated efforts by the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC).
Karnataka’s Performance in Swachh Survekshan
While Mysuru leads the state, other Karnataka cities in the 3 lakh to 10 lakh population category also performed notably, though none reached the SSL. Davanagere ranked 32nd nationally, followed by Hubballi-Dharwad (34th), Kalaburgi (57th), and Mangaluru (86th). Karnataka’s focus on cleanliness continues to drive progress across urban centers.
Key Points:
- Davanagere and Hubballi-Dharwad topped Karnataka’s state rankings.
- Mangaluru and Tumakuru ranked 86th and 92nd nationally, respectively.
- State-wide efforts emphasize waste segregation and sustainable practices.
How Swachh Survekshan Drives Change
The Swachh Survekshan 2024-25, conducted by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), assessed over 4,500 cities using 10 parameters and 54 indicators, including waste management, sanitation, and citizen engagement. The survey’s theme, “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle,” promotes a circular economy, with initiatives like waste-to-wealth projects gaining traction.
Key Points:
- Over 3,000 assessors evaluated 11 lakh households across four quarterly phases.
- New initiatives include a dumpsite remediation program starting August 15, 2025, and the Swachh City Partnership for mentorship.
- Citizen feedback played a crucial role in validating city performance.
How You Can Contribute
Citizens can support the cleanliness drive by participating in local waste segregation programs, reporting issues via Swachh Bharat apps, and advocating for sustainable practices. Engaging with Mysuru’s and Bengaluru’s initiatives can amplify their success and inspire other cities.
Key Points:
- Use apps like Swachhata-MoHUA to report cleanliness issues.
- Join community drives for waste segregation and recycling.
- Support mentorship programs to help lower-ranked cities improve.
