Navi Mumbai has climbed from third place to the top of the national cleanliness rankings, securing the first position in the Super Swachh League category of Swachh Survekshan 2025-26 and ending Indore’s eight-year run at the top. The achievement makes Navi Mumbai the country’s highest-ranked city in this category in the latest edition of the national cleanliness assessment. Surat secured second place, followed by Vijayawada in third.
The award was presented by President Droupadi Murmu at a ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on Wednesday (11 November). Navi Mumbai Mayor Sujata Patil and Municipal Commissioner Dr Kailas Shinde received the honour on behalf of the city. Deputy Mayor Dashrath Bhagat and City Engineer Shirish Aradwad were also present.
Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar, Minister of State Tokhan Sahu and ministry secretary Satyendra Singh attended the ceremony. NMMC Additional Commissioner Sunil Pawar and Deputy Commissioner of Solid Waste Management Dr Ajay Gadade were also present.
The 2025-26 edition of Swachh Survekshan, conducted under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, covered 4,751 cities. Navi Mumbai’s first-place finish in the Super Swachh League marks a significant step forward from its third-place position in the previous edition.
NMMC’s Safai Mitras and citizens share the credit
The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has been working towards improving its cleanliness performance over the past three to four years under the motto ‘Nischay Kela, Number Pahila’. The civic administration attributes the achievement to the combined efforts of Safai Mitras, Safai Sakhis, residents, elected representatives and municipal officers and employees.
Describing the achievement as a moment of pride for the city, Mayor Sujata Patil said it was her privilege to receive the award from the President as the representative of Navi Mumbai’s residents. She dedicated the recognition to all citizens, particularly the Safai Mitras and Safai Sakhis whose contribution to maintaining the city’s cleanliness has been significant.
Deputy Mayor Dashrath Bhagat also emphasised the role of sanitation workers, stating that their tireless efforts to keep the city clean were central to the achievement. He expressed confidence that the forthcoming Sugandhit Shahar Abhiyan would help the civic body further strengthen its work.
Municipal Commissioner Dr Kailas Shinde attributed the recognition to the combined efforts of residents and sanitation workers, supported by the corporation’s use of modern technology in sanitation and waste management. He said the city’s technological initiatives and active citizen participation had received consideration at the national level.
Technology and waste management initiatives behind the achievement
NMMC’s cleanliness initiatives extend beyond daily sweeping and waste collection. The corporation has focused on improving routine sanitation, strengthening waste collection and transportation systems, and using an Integrated Command and Control Centre to monitor these operations.
Segregated waste is processed according to its category. The civic body also operates a textile waste recycling centre, described in its official release as the first of its kind in the country.
Water conservation and reuse have also formed part of the city’s initiatives. Digital platforms such as the MyNMMC app and Citizen Grievance Portal enable residents to register complaints, track their resolution and receive updates.
Other measures include efforts to curb plastic use, large-scale cleanliness campaigns and initiatives to involve residents, students and young people in maintaining public spaces and promoting responsible waste management.
Sustaining the No. 1 position
Navi Mumbai has also retained its recognition in the Super Swachh League, along with its seven-star Garbage-Free City (GFC) rating and Water Plus certification. These distinctions reflect the range of sanitation, waste management and water-related initiatives undertaken by the civic body.
Moving to the top of the Super Swachh League after securing third place in the previous edition is a significant milestone for Navi Mumbai. The recognition belongs not only to the municipal administration but also to the Safai Mitras, Safai Sakhis and residents whose participation forms an essential part of the city’s cleanliness efforts.
The challenge now will be to sustain the standards that have taken Navi Mumbai to the top and ensure that cleanliness remains a shared civic responsibility.
