Bhubaneswar: The three-day ‘Swachha Sambardhana Utsav–2026’ and ‘Badakhana’, organised by the Kataka Municipal Corporation (KMC) to honour the sanitation warriors whose tireless efforts keep Cuttack clean, healthy and beautiful, concluded today.
On the concluding day, more than 150 sanitation workers from Zones 3 and 4 of KMC were felicitated as ‘Swachha Champions’. With this, more than 750 sanitation workers and sanitation personnel were specially honoured by KMC during the three-day celebration.
The central objective of the celebration was to express gratitude, respect and recognition to the sanitation workers whose efforts ensure that every morning in Cuttack begins with a cleaner and healthier environment. Sweepers, loaders, drivers, waste collection workers, sanitation inspectors and sanitation experts were among those felicitated during the three-day programme.
The concluding ceremony was attended by KMC Mayor Shri Subash Singh as the Chief Guest. Deputy Mayor Damayanti Majhi and Commissioner Kirandeep Kaur Sahota, along with Chairpersons of various Standing Committees, Corporators and senior officers and employees of KMC, were present on the occasion.
In his welcome address, Deputy Commissioner, Sanitation, Jubuli Charan Behera said that it was a matter of pride for KMC to honour the sanitation warriors who begin their duties in the early hours of the morning to safeguard the cleanliness and public health of Cuttack.
He said that their dedication and uninterrupted service constitute the backbone of the city’s sanitation system. He also highlighted various initiatives and programmes, including Bande Mahanadi, Rupayan, Black Soldier Fly, FSTP, Garima and NAMASTE, being undertaken for strengthening sanitation and improving the welfare and working conditions of sanitation workers.
Addressing the gathering, KMC Commissioner Kirandeep Kaur Sahota said that sanitation workers are much more than a workforce for the Corporation.
“Sanitation workers are not merely our workforce; they are an integral part of our Cuttack family. You are not just working for Cuttack—you are shaping a cleaner and more beautiful Cuttack through your hard work and dedication. KMC is proud to have heroes like you.”
Mayor Subash Singh said that Mahatma Gandhi had accorded cleanliness the same importance as freedom and that the sanitation workers working silently every day to keep the city clean are the city’s true unsung heroes.
He appreciated their selfless service and dedication, saying that their contribution is helping Cuttack move towards becoming a leader in cleanliness standards in the country. He also said that the historic city of Cuttack continues to move forward with pride because of the hard work and commitment of its sanitation workers.
On the third day of the festival more than 150 sanitation workers from 20 wards under KMC Zones 3 and 4, managed by G. Manju Services, were felicitated as ‘Swachha Champions’. Sanitation Inspectors and Sanitation Experts were also honoured for their contribution to the city’s sanitation system.
Corporators from different wards under Zones 3 and 4 were also felicitated by Mayor Subash Singh with bouquets and mementoes. The elected representatives subsequently felicitated sanitation workers serving in their respective wards.
Representatives from the Garima State Team, Ganesh Parida, and NAMASTE Resource Person Phanibhushan Tripathy, also participated in the programme. They sensitised sanitation workers about various Central and State Government schemes, social security measures and welfare benefits available to them.
The programme was attended by Diptimayee Mulia, Chairperson, Standing Committee on Health and Sanitation; Pralaya Beura, Chairperson, Standing Committee on Grievance and Social Justice, A. Sridevi, Chairperson, Standing Committee on Licence and Appeal, Pradipta Kishore Khuntia, Chairperson, Standing Committee on Works, Pradip Kumar Rout, Chairperson, Standing Committee on Planning; Corporators Banalata Pradhan, Arabinda Jena, Smt. Priyambada Mohanty and Deepak Kumar Das, along with Deputy Commissioner, Sanitation Jubuli Charan Behera, among others.
A major highlight of the celebration was the ‘Badakhana’, organised at the local Kalyan Mandap exclusively for sanitation and cleaning workers. The initiative was aimed at expressing gratitude, warmth and appreciation for their dedication, hard work and contribution towards keeping Cuttack clean.
Various recreational activities, including music chair, rangoli and other entertainment competitions, along with cultural programmes, were also organised for the sanitation workers, creating an atmosphere of celebration and camaraderie.
The three-day Swachha Sambardhana Utsav–2026 emerged as a unique initiative by KMC to recognise and celebrate the contribution of sanitation workers. The event reinforced the message that building a clean city is not the responsibility of the administration alone, but the result of a collective effort involving sanitation workers, elected representatives and citizens.
In her vote of thanks, Deputy Mayor Damayanti Majhi appreciated the invaluable and memorable contribution of sanitation and cleaning workers towards keeping Cuttack clean. The three-day celebration concluded with cultural performances and a renewed commitment towards building a cleaner, healthier and more beautiful Cuttack.
