Also awarded 5-star garbage-free city rating

Noida, December: We all aspire to live in the cleanest possible surroundings, but seldom take ownership for it. Noida, a part of the NCR that has been emerging as a well-planned global city for both residents and businesses, set an example for all the rapidly developing cities with its miraculous display of grit, determination and responsibility. The city recently bagged the Cleanest Medium City (population of 3-10 Lakh) in Swachh Survekshan 2021, an annual survey of cleanliness, hygiene and sanitation in India.

“Noida deserves rank 1 in the list of cleanest cities, and I hope all the NGOs will work even harder to make it happen. Big thanks to HCLF’s Clean Noida project for establishing Noida’s Integrated Command Control Centre. HCLF has a huge role in helping us to sensitise villages and making sure that this movement reaches the rural areas of Noida,” said Ms Ritu Maheshwari, Chief, Noida Authority, as she thanked and congratulated all the partners working for this movement. The high rank achieved in Swachh Survekshan Survey 2021, is a miraculous victory as in 2018 the city was at 384th position and is the 4th cleanest in the country now.

This has been a result of months of organised and structured efforts by the foundation. On-ground campaigns and door-to-door awareness surveys were conducted to drive behavioral change in citizens. Cleanliness staff was trained regularly on how to segregate waste and best practices to manage solid waste. HCLF not only trained the staff and residents through campaigns, it also distributed litter bins, collection carts and was involved in city beautification activities through wall art and graffiti.

“The Clean Noida Project works with over 90 RWAs across the city. The residents of these sectors are grateful for the initiatives and knowledge imparted by the foundation. It takes years to drive a behavioral change. Clean Noida has been working rigorously since 2018 to ensure Noida emerges as a clean city. Our aim is to look at development, hygiene and ensure people live in peace and harmony,” said Mr Laxmi Narayin, President, RWA, Sector 19.

The city has also received a 5-star garbage-free city rating, a higher achievement from having received a 3-star garbage-free city rating in 2020. They have adopted about 8 villages as part of their Chakachak Village initiative. The workers have worked relentlessly to ensure these areas are converted into model villages. The village homes have their own composting pits and are being trained to convert into zero waste villages.

There have been celebratory events in marketplaces, villages and RWAs to keep the awareness going. Cleanliness is equal to Godliness – the adage comes alive as you see the Clean Noida team in action. One can only hope the whole country takes an inspiration from their exemplary work.