Karnal (Praveen Walia, November 11):- The results of the 10th edition of the world's largest urban cleanliness survey, Swachh Survekshan 2025-26, have been announced. According to the results released by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Karnal has been selected as the cleanest city in Haryana. With this achievement, Karnal has become the first city in the state to receive the Presidential Award for the second consecutive year.
At a ceremony held on Wednesday at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, President Droupadi Murmu presented the Presidential Award to Haryana's Minister for Urban Local Bodies, Vipul Goel; Commissioner and Secretary Ashok Kumar Meena; Mayor Renu Bala Gupta; and Municipal Corporation Commissioner Saloni Sharma. Union Minister for Power, Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal, Minister of State Tokhan Sahu and the Secretary of the Ministry were also present on the dais. The national-level rankings are expected to be released within the next two days.
Mayor Credits Sanitation Workers and Top Leadership
Congratulating the residents of the city, Municipal Corporation Mayor Renu Bala Gupta said that this achievement was a matter of pride not only for Karnal but for the entire state of Haryana. She expressed gratitude to Manohar Lal, Union Minister for Power, Housing and Urban Affairs and Member of Parliament from Karnal, for this achievement. The Mayor said that Manohar Lal's visionary approach, transparent working style and dedicated leadership in public service had taken Karnal to new heights of development and cleanliness. She also thanked Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini for his able guidance. She credited this success to the dedicated sanitation workers, committed officers and employees, and aware citizens.
Collective Effort and Citizen Participation Behind the Success: Municipal Commissioner
Municipal Corporation Commissioner Saloni Sharma congratulated the residents on receiving the Presidential Award and described it as the result of collective efforts and citizen participation. Highlighting the contribution of sanitation workers who keep the city clean in every season, she appreciated the entire team of the sanitation branch.
Parameters Used to Assess the City
The Municipal Commissioner stated that a team of the Government of India had conducted an extensive survey of the city during March and April. The team evaluated the city on the following major parameters and submitted its report to the Ministry:
- Visible cleanliness and access to sanitation
- Waste segregation at source, collection and transportation
- Solid waste management and used water management
- Mechanisation of desludging services and institutional parameters
- Overall welfare of sanitation workers, citizen feedback and grievance redressal
