Chief Minister Rekha Gupta launches cleanliness campaign

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday launched the ‘Freedom from Garbage’ cleanliness campaign — a month-long citywide initiative aimed at making Delhi garbage-free through coordinated action and public participation.

The campaign, set to run from August 1 to 31, 2025, was officially flagged off at the Civic Centre. The event witnessed the presence of several top dignitaries including PWD Minister Pravesh Verma, Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Culture Minister Kapil Mishra, Delhi Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh, Deputy Mayor Jai Bhagvan Yadav, Standing Committee Chairperson Satya Sharma, and senior officers from multiple government agencies.

Calling it a historic initiative, CM Rekha Gupta said this was the first time departments such as the MCD, PWD, Delhi Police, and NDMC were working together in full coordination to tackle the city’s garbage crisis. “We are writing a golden chapter in Delhi’s history. Every citizen must take ownership of their surroundings. This campaign belongs to the people,” she said.

According to the Chief Minister, the first two days of the drive will focus on clearing waste backlogs in government schools, hospitals, and offices. Weekend clean-up efforts will target unauthorised colonies and JJ clusters, while special sanitation activities will take place at Yamuna ghats on August 14, 21, and 28. The Ring Road will undergo an extensive clean-up on August 29 and 31.

To support the initiative, the Delhi Government has allocated Rs 5 crore to the MCD. Further encouraging citizen participation, the government has announced cash awards for top-performing Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) -- Rs 25 lakh for first prize, Rs 15 lakh for second, and Rs 10 lakh for third.

Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood emphasised that the campaign would not be limited to VIP areas. “The real soul of Delhi resides in JJ clusters and unauthorised colonies. For decades, these areas were deprived of cleanliness and dignity – as if it were a privilege of the rich. This drive will change that narrative,” he said.

Echoing this sentiment, Delhi Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh described the campaign as a collective step toward transforming Delhi into a “beautiful, healthy, and dignified capital.” He added that the effort draws inspiration from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Swachh Bharat vision and is being carried forward under the leadership of CM Rekha Gupta.