Nationwide 'Swachhata Hi Seva 2026' Campaign Launched with Plantation Drive

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) and the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) jointly launched the 'Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2026' campaign at the Children's Park near India Gate in New Delhi. This nationwide initiative commenced with a plantation drive organized under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' (A Tree in the Name of Mother) initiative. The event was organized in collaboration with the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC).

The occasion was attended by senior officials from both ministries, including Mr. Ashok K.K. Meena, Secretary of the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti; Mr. Satyendra Singh, Secretary of the Department of Urban Development, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs; and Mrs. D. Thara, Secretary of the Capital Development Department.

Based on the theme 'Participation in Sanitation; Clean India, Developed India,' the campaign aims to strengthen voluntary participation and collective action toward cleanliness. The campaign emphasizes that the goal of a clean and developed India can only be achieved through a Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society approach.

The primary pillars of Swachhata Hi Seva 2026 are as follows:

Rejuvenation of Cleanliness Targeted Units (CTU) and public spaces, focusing on the timely cleaning of CTUs and the beautification of public areas.

Clean Pathshala - Youth for Sanitation, which includes organizing 'Swachhata Knowledge Journeys,' dialogues on sanitation and water conservation, competitions, and educational visits to waste management facilities for students and youth.

SafaiMitra Safety and Dignity Camps, which involve preventive health check-up camps for sanitation workers, providing benefits of social security schemes, and honoring their contributions.

Public Participation, involving activities to raise awareness about the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules 2026 and four-way waste segregation, RRR (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) recyclers' meets, 'Sports for Swachhata,' Clean and Green festivals, World Tourism Day, and special activities under 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam.'

Prosperity through Sanitation, with a special focus on Circular Economy, 'Waste-to-Wealth,' and 'Waste-to-Art' initiatives.

As part of the campaign, special Gram Sabhas will be held in rural areas and special council meetings will be conducted in urban areas on October 2. These meetings will discuss the outcomes of 'Swachhata Hi Seva 2026,' the Solid Waste Management Rules 2026, waste segregation, 'Swachh Seva Assessment,' and the evaluation of ODF Plus (Model) status.