Bilha puts Chhattisgarh on national map – Tops country in cleanliness; PM Modi lauds efforts in ‘Mann Ki Baat’

Raipur, July 27

In a moment of immense pride for Chhattisgarh, the Bilha Nagar Panchayat has secured the first position in the Swachh Survekshan 2024–25 under the category of cities with population less than 20,000 across the country. This historic feat was honoured at a grand award ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on July 17, 2025, where President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu presented the award to Bilha Nagar Panchayat.

The pride echoed even louder today as the achievement was recognised on the national platform of ‘Mann Ki Baat’ – Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, in the 124th episode of his monthly radio address, lauded the innovation and hard work of the women of Bilha Nagar Panchayat in the field of cleanliness and waste management.

PM Modi stated that the women of Bilha were trained in waste management, and through their collective efforts, they transformed the face of the town. He highlighted it as a matter of pride for all of Chhattisgarh, which has embraced cleanliness not just as a government campaign but as a true community movement.

Bilha Nagar Panchayat, with a population of approximately 15,000, has 28 ‘Swachhata Didis’ (Cleanliness Sisters) working on the ground. These women conduct door-to-door waste collection across 15 wards of the city using e-rickshaws and transport the waste to the SLRM Centre, where wet and dry waste are meticulously segregated. While compost is made from organic waste, dry waste is sold – enabling these women to become economically self-reliant.

Additionally, 10 special Swachhata Commandos have been appointed in the city who travel across Bilha using tractors and auto-tippers to maintain cleanliness and spread awareness. Through initiatives like awareness campaigns, public announcements, and direct waste collection from homes and shops, the Nagar Panchayat has encouraged citizens to segregate waste and hand it over responsibly. Periodic mass cleaning drives are also organised at muktidham (cremation grounds), ponds, gardens, and community halls.

This success is credited to the collective efforts of sanitation workers, Swachhata Didis, municipal officers and employees, and forward-thinking public representatives who have shown consistent commitment and inspection.

It is notable that there are over 2,000 urban local bodies in India with populations below 20,000. The rankings by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India, were based on independent surveys assessing cleanliness through parameters like door-to-door collection, road sweeping (day and night), waste disposal, sanitation in toilets and parks, and public feedback.

The award ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan was graced by Deputy Chief Minister Shri Arun Sao, Bilha Nagar Panchayat President Smt. Vandana Jendre, Chief Municipal Officer Shri Praveen Singh Gehlot, Vice-President Shri Satish Sharma, PIC Member Shri Mohan Dhoriya, then Sub Engineer Shri Narendra Dubey, Sanitation Officer Shri Yashwant Singh, Sanitation Supervisor Shri Rakesh Dagore, Swachhata Didi Smt. Pooja Rathore, and PIU’s Shri Ankit Dubey.

Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, congratulating the achievement, said Bilha Nagar Panchayat has set a new benchmark in the field of cleanliness – a moment of pride for the entire Chhattisgarh. By securing the first rank among all towns with less than 20,000 population, Bilha has not only brought glory to the state but also proved that with resolve, public participation, and a spirit of service, any goal is achievable. The Prime Minister’s mention of Bilha’s women and their innovative efforts in ‘Mann Ki Baat’ has made the achievement historically significant at a national level – a proud moment for all of Chhattisgarh.

Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Urban Administration Shri Arun Sao said that Bilha Nagar Panchayat’s top rank in Swachh Survekshan 2024–25 has enhanced Chhattisgarh’s reputation across the nation. This success reflects the dedication, strategy, and public engagement of our urban local bodies. It will serve as an inspiration for other municipalities in the state, and together, we will continue working towards making Chhattisgarh a leading state in cleanliness across India.