PRAGATI-50: 50 Clean Role-Model Cities in India

PRAGATI 50: DEVELOPING 50 CLEAN ROLE-MODEL CITIES IN INDIA

Why in the News?

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has launched a new set of initiatives under PRAGATI 50 to develop 50 clean role-model cities across 24 states, focusing on urban cleanliness, waste management, sanitation, used-water management and citizen participation through a structured Model City Framework.

PRAGATI-50: 50 Clean Role-Model Cities in India

PRAGATI 50 AND THE MODEL CITY FRAMEWORK

  • City Selection: The initiative covers cities having economic, cultural, heritage, pilgrimage, tourism and administrative significance, creating diverse urban models for replication.
  • Structured Framework: The Model City Framework seeks measurable improvements through defined timelines, systematic monitoring, periodic reviews and coordinated implementation.
  • Cleanliness Focus: Key interventions include urban cleanliness, solid waste management, used-water management and sanitation, addressing major challenges of rapidly expanding Indian cities.
  • Citizen Participation: The programme emphasises citizen engagement, recognising that sustainable urban sanitation requires behavioural change alongside municipal infrastructure.
  • Replicable Models: Developing successful cities as role models can enable other urban local bodies to adapt proven practices according to their demographic and geographical conditions.

URBAN WASTE MANAGEMENT AND CIRCULARITY

  • Waste Reduction: The Reduce, Reuse and Recycle (RRR) approach promotes resource conservation by reducing waste generation and extending the useful life of materials.
  • Resource Recovery: RRR centres can facilitate material recovery and reuse, helping shift urban waste management from disposal-oriented systems towards resource-efficient circular practices.
  • Sustainable Consumption: The initiative encourages responsible consumption patterns, particularly within government workplaces, where institutional practices can demonstrate sustainable behaviour.
  • Innovation Ecosystem: The Swachh Bharat Test Bed and Innovation Centre at Durgapur, launched with CSIR-CMERI and MoHUA, can support testing and development of sanitation technologies.
  • Circular Economy: Integrating waste minimisation, reuse and resource recovery supports India’s broader transition towards a circular economy, reducing pressure on landfills and natural resources.

URBAN GOVERNANCE AND SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IN INDIA

●      Constitutional Basis: Urban local bodies gained constitutional recognition through the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, which strengthened decentralised urban governance.

●      Twelfth Schedule: The Twelfth Schedule assigns municipalities functions including urban planning, public health, sanitation, solid waste management and environmental protection.

●      Waste Rules: The Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 establish responsibilities for waste generators, local authorities and other stakeholders regarding segregation, collection, processing and disposal.

●      Waste Hierarchy: Sustainable waste management prioritises reduction, reuse, recycling, recovery and scientific disposal, thereby minimising environmental and public-health impacts.

●      Citizen Role: Effective urban cleanliness requires source segregation, behavioural change, community participation and accountable municipalities, rather than relying exclusively upon government-funded infrastructure.