Swachh Survekshan Team Begins Cleanliness Assessment in Shimla
The annual Swachh Survekshan assessment has kicked off in Shimla, with a team of officials arriving in the state capital to evaluate the city’s cleanliness and sanitation standards.
The inspection team, consisting of eight to ten members, will be in the city for the next three to four days, carrying out detailed checks before compiling their final report. During this period, the team will conduct surprise visits across all 34 wards to get a real-time understanding of the ground situation.
Their assessment will cover key aspects such as door-to-door garbage collection, sewerage systems, waste segregation practices and overall garbage disposal mechanisms. In addition to technical evaluations, the team is also interacting with residents to gather first-hand feedback on the city’s cleanliness and civic services.
The findings from this exercise will play a crucial role in determining Shimla’s position in the national Swachh Survekshan rankings, which measure cleanliness standards of cities across India.
Mayor expressed optimism about the city’s performance, noting that the Municipal Corporation has carried out extensive cleanliness drives and awareness campaigns over the past year. “We are hopeful that Shimla will improve its ranking this time,” he said, adding that the results will be announced later this year.
As part of the inspection, the team is also expected to visit the solid waste management plant at Bharyal village to review waste processing and management practices.
Launched in 2016, the Swachh Survekshan is an annual survey conducted by the Quality Council of India, aimed at encouraging cities to improve sanitation, hygiene and waste management.
Shimla is hoping for a turnaround this year after a sharp dip in its rankings—the city fell to 347th position nationally last year, compared to 188th in 2024. Within Himachal Pradesh, Shimla was ranked third among the cleanest cities in 2025, leaving room for further improvement.
With the ongoing assessment, the city now looks forward to regaining its standing and showcasing progress in keeping Shimla clean and sustainable.
