Bhubaneswar: The state is going to observe the nationwide Swachhata HiSeva (SHS)-2026 campaign from September 17 to October 2, with a renewed focus on citizen participation, cleanliness, sanitation, dignity of sanitation workers and sustainable urban living.
The Housing and Urban Development Department issued comprehensive instructions to all Municipal Commissioners and Executive Officers of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) for effective, coordinated, and time-bound implementation of the campaign after Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra attended a meeting on the observance of the campaign Thursday through video conferencing. “We are committed to implementing all the guidance received effectively.
Odisha has also planned an initiative to light one crore lamps, with a strategy to ensure participation from households across every district,” the minister said. In rural areas, sanitation and cleaning activities will be undertaken with the participation of local communities, while the Panchayati Raj department will take up necessary development works relating to water bodies in rural areas. The H&UD department will undertake such works in urban areas.
The campaign will be organised in alignment with MoHUA guidelines under the core theme ‘Swachhata Mein Sahbhag, Swachh Bharat, Viksit Bharat’, strengthening a ‘Whole of Society’ and ‘Whole of Government’ approach involving citizens, government agencies, elected representatives, institutions, community organisations and other stakeholders. The fortnight-long campaign will focus on five major pillars: time-bound transformation of Cleanliness Target Units (CTUs) and garbage vulnerable points; engagement of students and youth through Swachhata Gyan Yatras and Swachhata Samvads; Safai Mitra Suraksha Evam Samman Shivirs for health check-ups and welfare-scheme linkages; Jan Bhagidari through zero-waste sports activities and eco-friendly celebrations; and Swachhata Se Samriddhi, promoting circular-economy practices such as waste-to-art and waste-to-wealth.
ULBs have been directed to ensure cleanliness, beautification and sustained maintenance of identified target locations and garbage-vulnerable points. Special emphasis will also be placed on the safety, dignity and welfare of sanitation workers and on creating greater awareness among students and youth about responsible waste management.
A major state-wide highlight will be the ‘Ek Din, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath’ shramdaan drive October 1, encouraging citizens, public representatives, government officials, institutions and community organisations to participate collectively in cleanliness activities.
The campaign will culminate October 2 with Swachh Bharat Diwas. Special meetings of ULB councils will also be organised to review cleanliness and sanitation initiatives and reinforce commitments towards sustainable sanitation and improved urban living. The department has directed ULBs to prepare robust 360-degree Information, Education and Communication (IEC) plans for extensive citizen engagement and campaign visibility, using available SBM (Urban) 2.0 IEC funds or their own resources.
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