Chandigarh: Punjab has recorded exceptional performance in solid waste management during 2025, earning national recognition under the Swachh Survekshan conducted by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. Municipal Corporation Bathinda received the Swachh Shahar Award, while several Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) achieved prestigious certifications. As many as 25 ULBs were declared Garbage Free Star-1, one ULB earned Star-3 status, 46 were certified Pani+, 53 ODF++, 43 ODF+ and 22 ULBs were certified ODF.
Punjab Local Government Minister Dr. Ravjot Singh said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the state made significant progress in managing legacy waste across 131 ULBs. Out of 84.09 lakh metric tonnes of old waste, 40.78 lakh metric tonnes have already been processed, while the remaining waste is planned to be cleared by April 2027. He added that focus on fresh waste management led to improved door-to-door collection, segregation at source and processing, with 81 percent of wet waste being scientifically treated through composting and bio-methanation.
Dr. Ravjot Singh further highlighted that major infrastructure upgrades under the Smart Cities Mission are progressing in Ludhiana, Amritsar, Jalandhar and Sultanpur Lodhi. Alongside large-scale development works in ULBs, Punjab has taken strong environmental initiatives such as replacing 1,200 diesel autos with electric ones in Amritsar and procuring 447 e-buses for major cities. The rollout of doorstep delivery of municipal services and GIS-based digitization of water and sewerage networks has further strengthened urban governance in the state.
