Karnal Municipal Corporation to lead cleanliness drive in 5 adopted civic bodies

The Karnal Municipal Corporation (MC) has intensified efforts to improve cleanliness in five adopted municipal councils (MCs) — Siwan, Ismailabad, Narnaund, Kalanwali and Rajound — under the Swachh Shehar Jodi (SSJ) initiative.

The initiative, launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), pairs high-performing and developing cities to promote collaboration and exchange of best practices. Karnal, which secured third rank nationally in Swachh Survekshan 2024–25 and received the Presidential Award, will mentor these five smaller bodies in waste management, civic participation and urban hygiene.

Mayor Renu Bala Gupta recently held a virtual meeting with officials from the adopted MCs after senior MC officers conducted visits to assess on-ground conditions.

“We reviewed the present situation of these towns and this partnership will focus on strengthening and uplifting the cleanliness status along with knowledge sharing to replicate Karnal’s successful models, such as efficient door-to-door waste collection, community ownership campaigns and recognition of sanitation workers,” said Mayor Gupta. She emphasised timely project completion, citizen involvement and robust monitoring systems. “Such collaborations will not only improve rankings but also build a culture of cleanliness and civic pride across Haryana’s urban areas,” she added.

Additional Municipal Commissioner Ashok Kumar said the meeting addressed issues such as staff shortage and uncovered drains. “The Mayor has spoken to the Additional Chief Secretary about increasing manpower and assured Ismailabad officials that she will raise the issue of covering open drains with higher authorities,” he said.

Gupta also urged officials to engage students to promote awareness and to form ward committees for local cleanliness campaigns. “All MCs have been asked to hold ‘beat competitions’ among safai beats,” Kumar added.