Dehradun:- On Tuesday, Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in the ‘Swachhata Hi Seva-2024’ program held at Parade Ground in Dehradun and flagged off the Cross Country Marathon. During the event, he took a cleanliness pledge with all attendees and initiated a tree plantation drive under the ‘One Tree for Mother’ campaign. Prior to this, he conducted Vishwakarma Puja at the venue and extended wishes to everyone on Vishwakarma Day.
The Chief Minister also conveyed his best wishes to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on his birthday, praying for his long life. He remarked that Prime Minister Modi’s dedication to cleanliness inspires everyone. He announced that today marks the start of the cleanliness fortnight, which will conclude on October 2.
The Chief Minister highlighted that Prime Minister Modi’s Swachh Bharat Mission has generated a new wave of awareness about cleanliness in the country. His historic and visionary approach has elevated India to new heights of cleanliness. In the past decade, millions of toilets have been constructed across the country, and necessary facilities for waste management have been developed, increasing public awareness about cleanliness.
Notable Progress in Uttarakhand’s Cleanliness Efforts
He stated that Uttarakhand has also made commendable progress in cleanliness. The state achieved the status of the fourth Open Defecation Free (ODF) state in the country in 2017. So far, over 537,000 toilets have been constructed for families without them. Additionally, more than 2,600 sanitation complexes have been built, and solid and liquid waste management has been completed in over 9,000 villages. The establishment of plastic waste management units in 77 development blocks has also been achieved. The Chief Minister announced that the goal is to start waste management in all villages by March 2025.
The Chief Minister praised the efforts of the Dehradun Municipal Corporation in the field of cleanliness. He noted that the corporation has set up a cleanliness control room to address public sanitation issues, which operates 24/7. Additionally, eight teams have been formed to ensure cleanliness, along with innovative monitoring through CCTV cameras.
He mentioned that Dehradun has been included among the top five cities in the country under the National Clean Air Program by the Ministry of Environment, which is a point of pride for all. He emphasized that the state will play a vital role in ensuring health and cleanliness. This year’s theme is ‘Swabhav Swachhta and Sanskar Swachhta,’ promoting the message that everyone must work together to instill the spirit of cleanliness in every citizen.
Public Participation is Key to Success
The Chief Minister asserted that while efforts are being made at the government level, these will only succeed with public participation. He urged everyone to contribute to making their villages, cities, and neighborhoods clean. He stressed the need to incorporate cleanliness into daily life rather than treating it as a one-day event. The tree planting and the pledge taken today will strengthen the commitment to make the state clean and pollution-free.
At this event, Urban Development Minister Shri Premchand Agarwal remarked that when cleanliness becomes part of our nature, the state will also become clean. He mentioned that over a thousand programs are being organized across the state during the cleanliness fortnight.
During the program, the Chief Minister also flagged off cleanliness vehicles for various development blocks. Notable attendees included Cabinet Ministers Shri Ganesh Joshi, Shri Saurabh Bahuguna, District Panchayat President Smt. Madhu Chauhan, MLA Shri Khajan Das, Smt. Savita Kapoor, Shri Umesh Sharma Kau, Shri Bharat Chaudhary, former Mayor Shri Sunil Uniyal Gama, Secretary Shri Shailesh Bagoli, District Magistrate of Dehradun Shri Savin Bansal, and Municipal Commissioner Shri Gaurav Kumar.
