SWACHH SURVEKSHAN
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, July 19: Even as Shillong has been declared the cleanest city in Meghalaya in the Swachh Survekshan 2024-25 rankings, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong has made it clear that the government’s sanitation efforts will not stop at awards or remain confined to urban boundaries.
The state capital, which secured the top rank in Meghalaya and placed 763rd nationally, was also recognised as a ‘Promising Swachh Shehar’ — a commendation reflecting notable improvements in public space cleanliness and dumpsite management.
However, Tynsong emphasized that this recognition is merely a checkpoint in a much longer journey. He stressed the need for sustained efforts across all corners of the state, pointing out that cleanliness cannot be restricted to capital cities or selective districts. The government, he said, is committed to advancing sanitation initiatives that benefit both urban and rural populations alike.
While Shillong performed well in several parameters, challenges persist—particularly in areas like waste segregation and processing, where further improvements are needed.
The Swachh Survekshan report, released on July 17, also exposed the uneven progress in sanitation across Meghalaya. Nongstoin, for example, ranked the lowest among the state’s Urban Local Bodies, standing at 1581 nationally. Other towns such as Mairang and Baghmara also lagged behind, highlighting gaps in infrastructure, public awareness, and systematic waste management.
Tynsong’s response to the rankings indicates a shift in focus from symbolic achievements to structural reform. Rather than resting on Shillong’s success, the government now aims to strengthen local sanitation bodies across all districts, launch behavioural awareness campaigns, and expand investment in waste processing technologies.
The goal, he outlined, is not just to secure awards but to build sustainable, state-wide cleanliness systems that will reflect in future assessments and, more importantly, improve day-to-day public health.