Kolkata: The geo-tagged mobile application for cleanliness in municipal areas, Swachh App, was launched by Union minister for power, housing and urban affairs, Manohar Lal Khattar, and chief minister Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday. The CM said that, as a beginning, the app is being launched for 10 municipalities across Bengal. These are Asansol Municipal Corporation, Durgapur Municipal Corporation, Baidyabati, Basirhat, Contai, Nalhati, Krishnanagar, Madhyamgram, Tufangunge, and Pujali civic bodies.
Expansion Plans for Urban Local Bodies
“We will introduce this initiative in 120 urban local bodies across Bengal,” the CM stated. Khattar remarked that urban development has several verticals, with the Swachh Bharat Mission being one of those. “There are over 5,000 cities in India. We have taken an oath to dispose of and clean all legacy waste dumpsites across the country within a year,” the minister said.
Government Commitment to Cleaner Bengal
State municipal affairs minister Agnimitra Paul said that the government is committed to working alongside citizens to create a cleaner and greener Bengal. She highlighted that the app was envisioned as an effective bridge between citizens and civic authorities, ensuring faster grievance redressal, more accountability, and improved delivery of services. “The launch of the Swachh App is a step towards a greener and cleaner Bengal and shows that the Centre and state government will work in tandem in this endeavour,” Paul stated.
How the App Works
A presentation demonstrated how the Swachh App would function. “Citizens will be able to click a snap of accumulated waste and upload it on the app. The location will be immediately sent to municipal teams for reaching the area that needs cleanup in about two hours,” officials explained. The state government is also launching a pilot project in Asansol-Durgapur, focusing on scientific waste management and proper garbage disposal, besides sanitation, hygiene awareness, and cleaner surroundings.
