Vadodara Achieves ‘Promising City’ Status in Cleanliness Rankings

Vadodara has made notable strides in cleanliness, securing the 18th position in the Swachh Survekshan 2024, which assesses cities with populations exceeding 1 million. The city earned a score of 10,713 out of 12,500 points and was distinguished as one of 12 urban centers receiving the title of ‘Promising Swachh Shehar.’ This marks a significant improvement from last year’s 33rd place ranking, though it still reflects a decline from previous years when Vadodara ranked eighth in 2021 and 14th in 2022.

Efforts to enhance the city’s cleanliness have involved the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) engaging a consultancy firm that has previously collaborated with the Indore Municipal Corporation, known for its consistent top performance in the survey. Despite these initiatives, VMC officials noted that the results have varied, partly due to evolving criteria and methodologies in the Swachh Survekshan assessments. The officials emphasized that factors such as documentation accuracy, public feedback, and updated survey formats now weigh heavily in determining rankings, often overshadowing observable cleanliness.

Challenges and Future Plans

In this year’s evaluation, Vadodara lost points in the garbage-free city assessment and other critical survey parameters. VMC officials acknowledged that these shortcomings were evident in the city. To combat sanitation issues, the VMC has implemented stricter regulations, including imposing fines for non-compliance.

Sheetal Mistry, the standing committee chairman, received the award in Delhi alongside other senior VMC officials. He expressed optimism regarding future rankings, highlighting ongoing efforts such as the establishment of refuse transport stations and a material recovery facility. Mistry stated, “The Promising Swachh Shehar award itself is an acknowledgment of Vadodara’s potential to do better.”

The VMC’s commitment to improving the city’s sanitation and waste management practices reflects a proactive approach to enhancing its standing in future surveys. As the city navigates these challenges, it aims to regain its position as a leader in cleanliness on the national stage.