Union Minister Shri Manohar Lal Launches PRAGATI-50 Initiative To Develop 50 Model Cities For Swachhata In New Delhi Today
In pursuance to directions of the Hon’ble Prime Minister during the 51st PRAGATI meeting, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has identified 50 model cities under the PRAGATI-50 initiative for demonstrating a higher benchmark of ‘Swachhata’ through targeted, KPI-based action and by leveraging intensive and technology-enabled monitoring within the framework of Swachh Bharat…
On October 18, 2023, Union Minister Shri Manohar Lal launched the PRAGATI-50 initiative to develop 50 model cities for Swachhata in New Delhi. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) chose these cities across 24 states, selecting a mix of major cities, cultural hubs, tourist destinations, and economic centers. Shri Manohar Lal stressed that these cities would serve as clean role-models for the entire country by surpassing routine sanitation efforts and exhibiting high-performance standards in cleanliness.
The initiative aims to improve urban cleanliness, solid waste management, wastewater management, sanitation, and citizen participation. Progress will be continuously monitored through outcome-based assessments and technology-enabled tracking. Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Shri Tokhan Sahu, highlighted that Swachhata has transformed from a movement to a way of life over the past decade.
He emphasized that the initiative will help cities achieve garbage-free status within a set timeframe and become role models for other urban centers. He also called upon states and urban local bodies to create micro-level action plans and ensure their timely implementation. The launch of the third cohort in partnership with IIT Kanpur marks the achievement of the national target of onboarding 75 startups under the Mission.
The Secretary, Department of Urban Development, Sh. Satendra Singh, explained the initiative's focus on "City as a Whole" approach, ensuring all stakeholders and partners are included in planning and implementation. A digital review mechanism called PRAGATI-like was established on the Swachhatam Portal for efficient monitoring, with ministry officers assigned to oversee specific cities.
To support project implementation on the ground, Standard Operating Procedures for Secondary Collection Centre for Construction & Demolition Waste and Guidelines for Source Segregation of Municipal Solid Waste were released. The Swachh Bharat Test Bed & Innovation Centre, co-launched with CSIR‑CMERI, supports research, product development, testing, and capacity building in sanitation technologies.
The third cohort of startups, launched with IIT Kanpur, focuses on innovative sanitation and waste management solutions. A dedicated WhatsApp channel was also launched to make it easier for citizens to lodge complaints and contribute to keeping their cities clean. Union Minister Shri Manohar Lal emphasized the importance of behavior change, launching the Swachhata Behaviour Change Digital Kosh, a digital repository of ideas, resources, and campaign materials to strengthen behavior change for a cleaner, more sustainable India.
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