Chhattisgarh bags three national awards in Swachh Survekshan Awards 2025
Bilha receives first position, Raipur, Bilaspur also awarded
Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao, Principal Secretary Sonmani Bora and Mayors receive National Award from President Droupadi Murmu
Bilha achieve first place in category of cities with population less than 20 thousand
Chhattisgarh’s achievements in the field of cleanliness and better urban management recognized at the national level
Raipur, November 11, 2026/ Chhattisgarh yet again made its mark on the national stage with its exemplary performance in the Swachh Survekshan 2025, India’s flagship cleanliness survey. President Droupadi Murmu today presented national awards to three cities from Chhattisgarh for their exemplary achievements in urban sanitation and cleanliness at a prestigious award ceremony held at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi.
Under the ‘Swachh Survekshan 2025-26’ (Cleanliness Survey), organized by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India, three urban local bodies from Chhattisgarh—Raipur Municipal Corporation, Bilaspur Municipal Corporation, and Bilha Nagar Panchayat—were honored with national awards. Notably, Bilha Nagar Panchayat in Bilaspur district brought pride to the state by securing the first position nationwide in the category for towns with a population of less than 20,000. Furthermore, Bilaspur city secured the second position nationally in the ‘Swachh River Front Town’ category. Raipur Municipal Corporation received the state-level first prize for sanitation.
Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao, Principal Secretary Sonmoni Borah along with mayors and commissioners of the respective urban local bodies, received the awards at the hands of the president on behalf of the state. Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal, Minister of State Tokhan Sahu were present at the occasion.
This achievement has brought fresh recognition to the sanitation-related efforts of Chhattisgarh’s urban local bodies on a national stage. Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Shri Manohar Lal Khattar, and Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, Shri Tokhan Sahu, were also present at the event.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai extended his congratulations and best wishes to the people of the state, as well as to the public representatives, officials, and sanitation workers of the respective urban local bodies, on this achievement.
The Chief Minister stated that the national honors received by Chhattisgarh in the ‘Swachh Survekshan’ (Cleanliness Survey) are a testament to the transforming landscape of our cities and the collective commitment of the state’s residents toward cleanliness. It is a matter of pride for the entire state of Chhattisgarh that a small town like Bilha secured the first position nationally, Bilaspur achieved the second position in the ‘Clean Riverfront’ category, and Raipur maintained its leading position within the state. He emphasized that the goal is not merely to improve rankings, but to develop a sustainable system where cleanliness becomes a habit for every citizen and a defining characteristic of every city. Through public participation, modern urban amenities, and effective management, we remain steadfastly committed to realizing the vision of a clean, healthy, and developed Chhattisgarh.
Expressing his delight at this achievement, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Urban Administration and Development, Shri Arun Sao, remarked that the recognition of three urban local bodies from Chhattisgarh at the national level is a significant milestone for the state. He noted that this honor is the result of the collective efforts of elected representatives, officials, sanitation workers, and citizens.
The fact that the Bilha Nagar Panchayat secured the first position nationally in the category of towns with a population of less than 20,000 is a remarkable achievement. This recognition demonstrates that even smaller urban bodies with limited resources can excel at the national level through superior management, a strong commitment to cleanliness, and active public participation.
The selection of three urban local bodies from Chhattisgarh for national awards underscores the ongoing efforts to enhance sanitation systems and strengthen urban services across the state. The ‘Swachh Survekshan’ serves to promote awareness about cleanliness, encourage citizen engagement, and improve the operational efficiency of urban local bodies.
The theme for this year’s survey was “New Initiatives for Cleanliness, Join Hands, Clean Together”. This theme emphasizes collective responsibility and public participation in maintaining cleanliness.
Municipal Corporation, Bilaspur Mayor Pooja Vidhani, Municipal Corporation, Bilaspur Commissioner Prakash Kumar Sarve (IAS), Municipal Corporation Raipur Mayor Meenal Chaubey, Municipal Corporation, Raipur Commissioner Sambit Mishra (IAS), Nagar Panchayat, Bilha President Vandana Jendre, State Urban Development Agency (SUDA) Mission Director-cum-Chief Executive Officer Sumeet Agrawal (IAS), were also present.
