UP minister AK Sharma directs cleanliness as a public movement ahead of Swachh Survekshan

The minister stressed the need to keep public spaces clean and free from encroachments while launching large-scale sanitation and awareness campaigns aimed at behavioural change among citizens.

He directed all urban local bodies to form quick response teams (QRTs) to handle emergencies and civic complaints during the rainy season.

The minister ordered immediate cleaning of drains and sewer lines, desilting operations and strengthening of water drainage systems to prevent urban flooding and waterlogging.

Sharma instructed civics to activate ward-level cleanliness promotion committees and maximise citizen engagement, stating that public participation would play a key role in improving the state’s performance in the national cleanliness survey.

A major focus of the review was on improving citizen feedback mechanisms, door-to-door garbage collection, waste segregation at source, and implementation of the Solid Waste Management Rules-2026; discussions also covered strengthening the RRR (reduce, reuse, recycle) model.

Officials were instructed to regularly review the condition of their urban bodies and identify areas requiring improvement in sanitation, drainage, waste disposal, public amenities and citizen satisfaction.

Sharma warned executive officers of municipalities and nagar panchayats would be held accountable for lapses in sanitation and civic management; he said there should be no complaints of negligence.

He directed urban local bodies to treat cleanliness as a 'public movement' and work with 'full responsibility and accountability' to improve urban living standards and secure better rankings in Swachh Survekshan.

Sharma chaired a high-level review meeting in Lucknow with mayors, municipal commissioners, executive officers, corporators and senior urban development officials from across the state to discuss intensifying cleanliness drives, waste management, and measures ahead of the next Swachh Survekshan rankings.