Lutyens’ Delhi, with its manicured lawns and tree-lined avenues, is no longer among the top five cleanest cities or municipalities in the country, says a national survey conducted by the Union Urban Development Ministry.
Ranks 7 out of 434
As per the Swachh Survekshan-2017, which was released on Thursday, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) was ranked seven out of 434 cities surveyed. Last year, it was ranked four out of 73 cities.
In 2014, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Swachh Bharat Mission by sweeping the streets of Valmiki Basti in the NDMC area, the civic body was ranked 15.
NDMC issues statement
Despite being declared “open defecation-free” by the Urban Development Ministry and seeing the launch of several initiatives to improve solid waste management, the NDMC saw its rank dipping.
In a statement on Thursday, the NDMC said that it had scored 1,707.96 out of 2,000 in the Swachh Survekshan. It added that it got 819.95, 426.88 and 461.13 marks for municipal documentation, direct observation and citizen engagement, respectively.
Representing about 3% of Delhi’s population, the NDMC area is relatively compact and resource-rich compared to the three municipal corporations, which support 96% of the population.
A senior NDMC official said that the civic body would aim to top the rankings next year, adding that its rank had been higher in 2016 as the number of cities surveyed was less.
The official added that the NDMC had been adjudged the best in the “North Zone” in the Swachh Survekshan.
Last month, the NDMC had announced a new initiative to achieve 100% segregation of waste at source, starting with five colonies in June.
The civic body is also in the process of constructing 63 public toilets, which will add to the 330 existing toilet complexes.
In addition to infrastructure, the NDMC also carries out door-to-door collection of garbage and mechanised sweeping at about 75% of all notified commercial areas, said the statement.
