The Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas launched the Swachhta Pakhwada 2024 at Shastri Bhawan in Delhi on Monday.

In his address, Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Hardeep Singh Puri, emphasised the transformative impact of the Swachh Bharat Mission, highlighting the construction of nearly 12 crore toilets across rural and urban India over the past decade. He underscored the significance of the Swachhta Pakhwada initiative as an integral part of the broader Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.

Puri called the Swachhta Abhiyan the most transformative campaign under the leadership of PM Modi, adding that the campaign has brought a paradigmatic shift in the way people think.

He highlighted the ministry’s commitment to promoting cleanliness practices across all departments and the active involvement of all stakeholders, including Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) and attached offices under the Ministry.

The Union Minister also reflected on the achievements of the previous year’s Swachhta Pakhwada, which included various activities such as the construction of sanitation facilities, installation of hygiene infrastructure, and cleanliness drives in public spaces and offices.

“Last year, we carried out a range of activities under the ‘Swachhta Pakhwada’ between July 1 and July 15, 2023, to demonstrate our commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG-6),” Puri said.

He also took a moment to celebrate the success of the Swachh Bharat Mission, saying that it has transformed India over the past nine years. He said that solid waste management in urban areas, almost non-existent at the mission’s inception, now stands at an impressive 77 per cent.

“According to the UN, households saved up to Rs 50,000 due to better health and hygiene practices,” Puri added.