Asika/Chhatrapur: Asika Municipality has brought laurels to Ganjam district and Odisha by securing the second position nationally among Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in the 20,000–50,000 population category under the Swachh Survekshan 2025–26.
At the national award ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on Wednesday, President Droupadi Murmu presented the award to Asika Municipality. Municipal Chairperson Binita Swain, Special Secretary to the Housing and Urban Development Department and Mission Director of Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) Binay Kumar Dash, Project Director of Ganjam District Urban Development Agency Sameer Kumar Jena, and In-charge Executive Officer of Asika Municipality Ashalata Rachamala received the Mahatma Gandhi statue and certificate of recognition from the President.
The national recognition reflects the dedicated efforts of sanitation workers and the active participation and cooperation of Asika residents in maintaining cleanliness and improving sanitation standards. The achievement has been widely appreciated by public representatives and district officials.
Congratulating Asika Municipality, Ganjam Collector Keerthi Vasan V said the national recognition was a matter of pride for the district. He expressed confidence that the achievement would further strengthen the district’s commitment to cleanliness and sanitation under the “Ama Ganjam, Swachh Ganjam” initiative while promoting sustainable waste management and the development of clean, healthy and inclusive urban and rural areas.
Organised under the Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban, the Swachh Survekshan Awards 2025–26 mark the tenth edition of the country’s annual cleanliness assessment, recognised as the world’s largest urban sanitation survey. This year’s theme, “Swachhata Ki Nayi Pehel – Badhaayein Haath, Karein Safai Saath”, emphasises citizen participation and healthy competition among cities to strengthen urban cleanliness and sanitation.
