City receives top award for cleanliness despite 2024 floods

Vijayawada Municipal Corporation(VMC) Commissioner H.M. Dhyanachandra, Mayor Rayana Bhagyalakshmi accompanied by Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MAUD) P. Narayana, in receiving the ‘Super Swachh League’ award from President Droupadi Murmu at a ceremony in New Delhi on Thursday.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Narayana said: “It is a matter of pride that the city has secured the fourth place in the population category of more than 10 lakh, after Indore, Surat and Navi Mumbai. Receiving the ‘Garbage Free City’ award, with a seven-star rating, is another feather in the cap.”

Ms. Rayana Bhagyalakshmi said it is the second time after 2021, that she received an award from the President. She expressed her gratitude to everyone who contributed to keeping the city clean.

Mr. Dhyanachandra explained that a city has to perform consistently well in Swachh Survekshan Rankings to be eligible for the ‘Super Swachh League’ award. The award is presented to those cities that remained in the top three positions at least once in the last three years, and the city should be in the top 20 positions till 2024.

Acknowledging the role of former Commissioners V. Prasanna Venkatesh and Swapnil Dinkar Pundkar, Mr. Dhyanachandra said: “Despite the September 2024 floods, the city bounced back to normalcy and went on to win the award.” He thanked Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Mr. Narayana, officials, sanitation workers for their contribution in bringing Vijayawada back on tracks.