Gangtok, September 17 (IPR): The State-level launch of the Swachhata Hi Seva Campaign 2026 was held at Ridge Park, Gangtok, today with the Governor of Sikkim, Mr Om Prakash Mathur, as the Chief Guest, in the presence of the Chief Minister, Mr Prem Singh Tamang.
The campaign, being observed from September 17 to October 2, 2026, carries the theme “Swachhata Mein Sahbhag, Swachh Bharat, Viksit Bharat”, emphasising collective participation, sustained cleanliness and the strengthening of sanitation and waste-management systems across the State.
The campaign is anchored on five key pillars: Transformation of Cleanliness Target Units and Clean Public Places; Swachh Paathshala: Yuva for Swachhata; Safai Mitra Suraksha Evam Samman Shivir; Jan Bhagidari for Swachhata; and Swachhata Se Samriddhi.
The initiative seeks to mobilise citizens towards greater ownership of cleanliness and sanitation through a Whole of Government and Whole of Society approach, promoting shared responsibility and sustained participation in both rural and urban areas.
Jointly organised by the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) under the Urban Development Department and Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) under the Rural Development Department, the programme saw the formal launch of Swachhata Hi Seva 2026 campaign, followed by the administration of the Swachhata Pledge by the Governor. Participants pledged to contribute 100 hours of Shram Daan every year towards cleanliness and community service.
A special feature of the launch programme was the lighting of 1,000 diyas at the venue to mark the birthday of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
The Urban Development Department (UDD) also unveiled the logo of the Clean Hill Himalayan Cities Initiative, aimed at promoting sustainable cleanliness and scientific waste-management practices suited to the unique requirements of Himalayan urban centres.
As part of the State’s ongoing efforts to strengthen urban sanitation, the Swachh Sheher Abhiyaan under the Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban, launched by the Hon’ble Chief Minister during the SHG Bharosa Sammelan, was also highlighted. The initiative seeks to integrate women from Self Help Groups (SHGs) into the waste-management ecosystem through activities including door-to-door Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaigns, waste-to-compost initiatives and other sanitation-related interventions.
Under the Swachh Sheher Abhiyaan, the first instalment of ₹25,000 each was presented to nine Self Help Groups under the Gangtok Municipal Corporation (GMC). The beneficiary SHGs are Khushi SHG, Sunshine SHG, Sanskar SHG, Aaviskar SHG, Diamond SHG, Sunakhari SHG, United SHG, Koshish SHG and Lakshay SHG.
Further strengthening sanitation services across the State, the Rural Development Department (RDD) released the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Mobile Treatment Units (MTUs) developed by the Department. The SOP provides a structured framework for sanitation and septage management and is aimed at strengthening the State’s sanitation infrastructure and service-delivery mechanisms.
A key highlight of the programme was the flagging off of 17 sanitation and waste-management vehicles under the Rural Development Department.
The fleet includes five Mobile Treatment Units (MTUs), with two designated for Gangtok and one each for Namchi, Mangan and Gyalshing. It also includes two cesspool vehicles, designated for Gangtok and Pakyong, and 10 Resource Recovery Vehicles for various Gram Panchayat Units (GPUs).
The programme also witnessed the flagging off of two ambulances provided under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative of the State Bank of India. One ambulance has been designated for the Soreng Primary Health Centre (PHC), while the other has been provided for the Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya.
The State-level launch brought together key initiatives of the Rural Development and Urban Development Departments under the broader framework of the Swachh Bharat Mission, reinforcing the State’s commitment to cleaner public spaces, improved sanitation infrastructure, effective waste management and greater community participation.
The programme was attended by Minister for Rural Development and Cooperation Departments, Mr Arun Kumar Upreti; Minister for Urban Development and Food & Civil Supplies Departments, Mr Bhoj Raj Rai; MLA-cum-Advisor, UDD and Food & Civil Supplies Departments, Mr Delay Namgyal Barfungpa; Advisor-cum-MLA, Forest and Environment Department, Mr Tenzing Norbu Lamtha; Advisors; Chief Secretary, Mr R Telang; Chairpersons; OSDs; Councillors of GMC; Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Urban Development Department, Mr Jitendra Singh Raje; Secretary, Rural Development Department, Mr Anil Raj Rai; Secretary, Urban Development Department, Ms Yishey D Yongda; senior officials of UDD and RDD; and representatives of various Self Help Groups, among others.