Decades ago, Mahatma Gandhi said that ‘sanitation is more important than political freedom’. The launch of Swachh Bharat Mission on 2nd October 2014 by the Honb’le Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi was a historic moment for India. It not only placed the issue of sanitation at the centre of the Government’s developmental agenda, but also sent out a resounding message- through the Prime Minister’s address from the ramparts of the Red Fort.

Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) (SBM-U) had three major objectives: (a) achieving 100% Open Defecation Free (ODF) status, (b) ensuring 100% scientific Solid Waste Management (SWM), and (c) behavior change through ‘Jan Andolan’, by 2nd October 2019, in all statutory towns. This Mission has achieved significant levels of success against the above objectives, with massive engagement of citizens across all categories of society.

Mission is now being extended for a period of 5 (five) years, from 1st October 2021 to 1st October 2026, as Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) 2.0 (SBM-U 2.0), for completing the work remaining, institutionalizing ‘swachh’ behavior and making it sustainable. The Government of India in partnership with States/ UTs and ULBs is committed to make all cities ‘Garbage Free’ under SBM-Urban 2.0 in order to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2030, which will ultimately improve the quality of life and ease of living of urban populations, thus leading to urban transformation.