Visakhapatnam district tops Swachh Andhra rankings, ASR district ranks last

Amaravati: Visakhapatnam district secured top rank in Swach Andhra prigramme followed by Vizianagaram and Guntur districts in second and third position.Sri Sathya Sai, Parvathipuram Manyam and Alluri Sitarama Raju (ASR) districts secured last three ranks.

The rankings were based on parameters such as door-to-door waste collection, segregation of wet and dry waste, individual household toilets, and ODF Plus standards. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu suggested that future rankings be conducted by third-party agencies for greater transparency.

Addressing a review meeting on progress of 'Swarna Andhra'Swachh Andhra' at Camp office today, Chief Minister has directed officials to implement a strong time-bound action plan to achieve the targets set under Swachh Andhra. He emphasized accountability, stating that failure to meet targets would invite scrutiny and corrective action.

The Chief Minister instructed officials to construct new public toilets wherever required in municipalities and to establish waste-to-energy plants within defined zones. He noted that former dumping yards, once filled with waste, are now being cleared and should be transformed into green spaces. Priority should be given to converting dumping yards near villages and towns into parks.

Officials reported that out of 153 lakh tonnes of waste generated in urban areas since June 2024, 114 lakh tonnes have already been cleared. The Chief Minister directed that 100 percent clearance be achieved by June. He also instructed the removal of 10 lakh metric tonnes of accumulated waste in rural areas.

He stressed that door-to-door waste collection and processing must reach 100 percent efficiency. Coordination with MARKFED was suggested for compost marketing. Introducing community soak pits linked to magic drains would help resolve wastewater issues and enhance groundwater recharge, he added.

Guidelines were also issued for government welfare hostels and residential schools to adopt proper waste segregation, install rooftop solar systems, achieve net-zero goals, increase greenery, and maintain clean and hygienic kitchens.

The Chief Minister also directed the expansion of air quality monitoring from the current 83 locations by adding 53 manual monitoring stations.

Officials briefed the Chief Minister on measures to control single-use plastics and ongoing waste collection systems. Currently, 633 Swachh Rath vehicles collect around 125 tonnes of dry waste daily. Through Gobardhan units and Green Shops, waste is being converted into revenue.

The Chief Minister directed that all villages be declared ODF Plus by September this year. He also called for increasing the state's green cover from the current 31.33 percent to 37 percent by 2030 and further to 50 percent by 2047.

Minister for Municipal Administration P Narayana, PCB Chairman Krishnaiah, Swachh Andhra Corporation Chairman Pattabhi, MAUD Principal Secretary Suresh Kumar, Industries Secretary Yuvaraj, MAUD Commissioner Sampath Kumar, Panchayat Raj Director Krishna Teja and other senior officials were present.