Citizens urge MCC’s health, sanitation wings to intensify efforts towards on-ground cleanliness

Mysuru: Mysuru has secured third place in the newly introduced ‘Super Swachh League’ (SSL) under Swachh Survekshan 2024-25, ranking among India’s cleanest cities in the 3 to 10 lakh population category. The awards were presented in New Delhi yesterday by President Droupadi Murmu.

The SSL, part of the Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban (SBM-U) initiative by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), is designed to encourage healthy competition among consistently top-performing cities. It functions as an elite “Champions League” for urban sanitation, cleanliness and waste management.

Mysuru’s inclusion reflects the efforts of the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC), sanitation workers and citizens in sustaining a long-standing reputation for cleanliness, public participation and urban hygiene. However, cities in the SSL are expected to maintain these high standards year after year — failure to do so results in automatic exclusion.

MCC fails to address persistent issues

Despite the honour, the recognition has raised eyebrows among residents and civic groups, who are calling for a reality check before MCC begins celebrations.

Once a frontrunner in urban cleanliness, Mysuru’s performance has slipped in recent years. Civic groups welcomed the recognition but criticised MCC for failing to address persistent issues like uncleared garbage, construction waste and footpath encroachments in several areas, which affect both residents and tourists.

They urged MCC’s health and sanitation departments to intensify efforts and suggested holding consultations with tourism and hospitality stakeholders to improve cleanliness.

Urban experts cautioned that the new ranking should not lead to complacency. The previous awards had resulted in a drop in standards and emphasised the need for continuous, year-round maintenance, not  just clean-ups during Swachh Survekshan.

Civic organisations also demanded stricter penalties for littering and unscientific waste disposal to ensure Mysuru lives up to its place in the Super Swachh League.