With the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan Initiative, India has made a significant wave in urban cleanliness and sanitation. The national campaign focuses on enhancing the quality of life for citizens through better waste management and sanitation practices. A key area of this effort is the Swachh Survekshan which is an annual cleanliness survey done by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. And the campaign ranks cities depending on their sanitation and cleanliness metrics. While Indore has become the cleanest city in India for seven consecutive years, Surat and Navi Mumbai have embraced effective measures to implement. If you are wondering about the cleanest cities in India, here is a complete list you should keep in mind.
List of India’s Cleanest Cities in 2024
Among the cleanest states in India, Maharashtra takes the lead. After Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh come on the list. Due to the top rankings, the tier 2 cleanest cities in India are soaring high in real estate investment opportunities. Below, we mention the top clean cities in India:
1. Indore, Madhya Pradesh
Population: 3,570,295
Landmarks: Rajwada Palace, Lal Bagh Palace, Khajrana Ganesh Mandir
Owing to its robust waste management system, Indore has earned the title of the cleanest city in India for seven years in a row. The city follows a comprehensive approach to cleanliness that includes door-to-door waste collection and segregation of waste. The infrastructure helps the city manage around 1,500 tonnes of waste every day, making sure the streets are free of litter and garbage piles. While Indore is popular for its food scene and its famous local delicacies at Sarafa Bazaar, the city is committed to sustainability and quality of life.
Also Read: Best Areas In Indore: 7 Residential Localities For Families
2. Surat, Gujarat
Population: 8,331,000
Landmarks: Surat Castle, Ambaji Temple, Sardar Patel Museum, Dumas Beach
Surat has emerged as one of the cleanest cities in India right after Indore in the Swachh Survekshan survey. The city has implemented effective waste management practices, and the Surat Municipal Corporation has nearly covered 100% of the door-to-door waste collection system. Beyond waste collection, Surat uses an Integrated Command and Control Centre to track sanitation efforts in real time. The city offers a quality of life, decorated with public spaces and beautiful parks. Surat is well-known for its textile and diamond industries and ample economic opportunities.
Also Read: 6 Best Places To Visit In Ahmedabad Under Rs. 500
3. Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra
Population: 1,120,547
Landmarks: Nerul Balaji Temple, Pandavkada Falls, Belapur Fort
The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation’s committed efforts to waste management and sustainable practices have made it the third cleanest city in India. Apart from the usual waste management practices, the city focuses on advanced recycling initiatives. Navi Mumbai has undertaken initiatives like Three R Centres and Recycle Mart to emphasise reducing, reusing, and recycling waste, contributing to its cleanliness. With well-maintained parks and green spaces, the city is recognised for its high standards in sanitation. Navi Mumbai has also received a seven-star rating for being a garbage-free city and the highest Water Plus rating for its Open Defecation Free status.
4. Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh
Population: 243,173
Landmarks: Mahamaya Temple, Shivpur Shiv Temple, Jogimara Caves
Ambikapur has consistently been recognised as one of the cleanest cities in India, topping the list of Swachh Survekshan 2024 in the 1 lakh to 3 lakh population category. The achievement is largely due to the unique waste management system, involving a decentralised Solid Liquid Resource Management. Alongside minimising waste, the initiative has empowered local women, known as “Swachhta Didis.” These 470 women actively play an important role in transforming its approach to cleanliness. Moreover, the city has introduced a “garbage cafe” where residents can receive free meals in exchange for plastic waste. Moreover, Ambikapur has set an example by transforming a dump site into a botanical garden.
5. Mysore, Karnataka
Population: 1,261,000
Landmarks: Mysore Palace, St. Philomena’s Cathedral, Brindavan Gardens
One of the historic cities in Karnataka, Mysuru is one of the cleanest cities in India. The Mysuru Municipal Corporation has implemented an organic waste management system that can process 450 tonnes of municipal solid waste daily. The system also encourages households to compost kitchen waste, transforming it into compost for farming. The city also focuses on Zero Waste Management plants which serve as community hubs for waste segregation and processing. The plants play a pivotal role in reducing landfills while enhancing public participation.
Also Read: 6 Best Places To Visit In Mysore When You Are On A Budget
6. Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh
Population: 2,230,000
Landmarks: Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam, Undavalli Caves, Prakasam Barrage
Among the top 10 cleanest cities in India, the second-largest city in Andhra Pradesh requires a special mention. Vijayawada follows a comprehensive solid waste management system that processes around 550 metric tonnes daily. The city has invested a substantial amount in composting and recycling facilities including the Excel Industries plant that converts organic waste into compost and generates energy from non-biodegradable materials. The Vijayawada Municipal Corporation has launched on-site composting units at local markets to enhance waste processing capabilities.
7. Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Population: 8,651,000
Landmarks: Adalaj Step-well, Manek Chowk, Hathee Singh Jain Temple
One of India’s cleanest cities, Ahmedabad follows an effective waste management infrastructure and community engagement. The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation has implemented a comprehensive solid waste management that processes around 4,000 tonnes of waste daily. This includes a door-to-door garbage collection service that uses more than 800 vehicles equipped with GPS for timely collection. Plus, Adani Solar, one of the most prominent renewable energy companies in Gujarat, contributes to promoting sustainable energy solutions across the region.
Also Read: 5 Online Service Platforms In Ahmedabad To Enjoy Your Life A Little Better
8. New Delhi, Delhi
Population: 33,807,000
Landmarks: National Museum, Humayun’s Tomb, Lotus Temple, Red Fort
New Delhi, one of the cleanest cities in India, has set a cornerstone for waste management. The city processes 13,000 tonnes of waste daily, with 50% being effectively managed. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has implemented a solid waste management system that includes door-to-door collection and segregation at the source. In addition, the system uses modern technology to improve efficiency, like smart bins for optimising collection routes and monitoring waste levels. They also use biomining legacy waste from landfills to reduce environmental impact.
Also Read: Top 7 Posh Localities in Delhi For Renting & Buying In 2024
9. Chandrapur, Maharashtra
Population: 373,000
Landmarks: Mahakali Temple, Ballalpur, Chandrapur, and Manikgarh Forts
Chandrapur, one of the cleanest cities in Maharashtra, follows an innovative waste management infrastructure. The Chandrapur Municipal Corporation has developed a comprehensive waste management designed to handle around 100 tonnes of garbage daily. The initiative is a broader plan curated to curb pollution in the city that has faced environmental challenges. CMC has also established a state-of-the-art waste processing plant that uses refuse-derived fuel to generate power. The facility addresses waste disposal and contributes to renewable energy production, emphasising sustainable practices.
10. Khargone, Madhya Pradesh
Population: 18,72,413
Landmarks: Navgraha Mandir, Ahilya Fort, Shrimant Bajirao Peshwa Samadhi Raverkhedi
Owing to effective waste management and municipal initiatives, Khargone is one of India’s cleanest cities in India. The Khargone Nagar Palika has implemented a comprehensive waste management system that processes around 47.29 metric tonnes of waste every day. The system uses a well-organised door-to-door garbage collection service, ensuring the waste is efficiently collected throughout the city. This is the second city in Madhya Pradesh after Indore to find its place on the list.
11. Rajkot, Gujarat
Population: 2,043,000
Landmarks: Khambhalida Caves, Pradhyuman Zoological Park, Ranjit Vilas Palace
Rajkot has recently been recognised as one of the most clean cities in India in the Swachh Survekshan survey. Its accolades refer to the city’s commitment to cleanliness and sanitation, making it a model for urban management. The waste management infrastructure has implemented solid disposal strategies, achieving 100% door-to-door waste collection. With a focus on the west waste process and material recovery facilities, Rajkot has ranked among the 20 clean cities. This city has also adopted an active approach to waste segregation, with abundant public sanitation facilities.
The Swachh Survekshan rankings consistently highlight the commitment of different Indian cities to cleanliness and sanitation. In 2024, Indore secured the title of the cleanest city in India and has been holding it for seven consecutive years. Its success in effective waste management practices, involving recycling initiatives and waste segregation is tremendous. However, other notable cities on the list are Bhopal, Visakhapatnam, Mysore, and Tirupati. If you are moving to any metro city in India and wondering how to furnish your place at an affordable range, you should head to RentoMojo!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which is the richest cleanest city in India?
Indore is the richest and cleanest city in India, and Surat comes right after on the list.
2. Is Kolkata a clean city?
Kolkata is not considered a clean city, as it has been ranked as the ninth dirtiest city in India according to the recent Swachh Survekshan survey.
3. What is the cleanest city in Asia?
The cleanest city in Asia is Singapore, renowned for its stringent cleanliness standards and effective waste management practices.
4. Is Bangalore a clean city?
Bengaluru is currently not considered a clean city, having ranked 125th in the latest Swachh Survekshan survey.
5. Which city in India is the least polluted?
The least polluted city in India is Aizawl, with an average PM2.5 concentration of 9.9 μg/m³.
6. What is the cleanest village in India?
The cleanest village in India is Mawlynnong, located in Meghalaya, which has been recognised for its exceptional cleanliness and community-driven environmental practices.
