TFP Bureau, Raipur, July 27, 2025: Chhattisgarh’s Bilha Nagar Panchayat has etched its name on the national stage by clinching the first rank in the Swachh Survekshan 2024–25 under the category of urban bodies with a population below 20,000. Recognised for its exemplary cleanliness and waste management practices, Bilha was honoured in a grand award ceremony at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, where the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, presented the award.
Adding to the momentous pride, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the women-led efforts of Bilha in the 124th episode of his monthly radio address Mann Ki Baat. Applauding the transformation driven by community participation, PM Modi said, “The women of Bilha have turned cleanliness into a people’s movement. Their dedication is a matter of pride for the entire nation.”
Bilha, a town of approximately 15,000 residents in Bilaspur district, has become a role model in cleanliness through the efforts of its 28 dedicated ‘Swachhata Didis’. These women collect waste from all 15 municipal wards using e-rickshaws and process it at the town’s SLRM (Solid and Liquid Resource Management) Centre. Wet and dry waste are scientifically segregated – with compost made from organic waste and recyclable materials sold, making the initiative both sustainable and economically empowering.
Additionally, 10 ‘Swachhata Commandos’ support sanitation and awareness activities using tractors and auto-tippers. Regular cleanliness drives are held at public spaces such as cremation grounds, ponds, and gardens, while house-to-house campaigns have successfully promoted waste segregation and responsible disposal.
The national ranking, conducted by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, evaluated over 2,000 urban local bodies across India with populations under 20,000. The assessment considered parameters such as door-to-door waste collection, road sweeping (day and night), sanitation in public spaces, and citizen feedback.
The success of Bilha is the result of tireless work by sanitation workers, municipal staff, elected representatives, and forward-thinking local leadership. The award was received by a delegation including Deputy CM Shri Arun Sao, Nagar Panchayat President Smt. Vandana Jendre, CMO Shri Praveen Singh Gehlot, and several key officials and sanitation team members.
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai congratulated the entire Bilha team, calling the achievement “a new benchmark for urban sanitation in India.” He said, “This is a proud moment for Chhattisgarh. Bilha has shown that with community participation and determination, even a small town can lead the way nationally in cleanliness.”
Urban Administration Minister and Deputy CM Shri Arun Sao echoed the sentiment, stating that Bilha’s triumph would inspire other municipalities across the state. “This achievement reflects strategic planning, public participation, and the tireless work of our local bodies. Chhattisgarh is well on its way to becoming a model state in sanitation and civic engagement,” he said.
