Dasari Srinivasa Rao Vijayawada

VijayawadaMunicipal Corporation (VMC) has once again earned national recognition for its sanitation and cleanliness initiatives by securing the third rank in the National Clean City category under the Swachh Survekshan 2025-26.

The award was presented by President Droupadi Murmu at a grand ceremony held at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi on Wednesday. Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development Dr P Narayana, Principal Secretary S Suresh Kumar, Swachhandhra Corporation Chairman Kommareddy Pattabhiram and VMC Commissioner HM Dhyanachandra received the award on behalf of the State and the civic body.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister Dr P Narayana said it was a matter of pride that six cities and towns in Andhra Pradesh had secured awards in different categories in the Swachh Survekshan 2025-26. Visakhapatnam secured the first rank in the category of cities with a population of 10 lakh and above, while Vijayawada secured the third rank in the National Clean City category. Guntur bagged the third rank in the three to 10 lakh population category. Tirupati and Kuppam received awards under the Swachh Shehar Jodi category, while Rajamahendravaram was recognised as the State’s first clean city.

Principal Secretary S Suresh Kumar said the awards reflected the sustained efforts being made across the State in sanitation, cleanliness, scientific waste management and public participation.

VMC Commissioner HM Dhyanachandra said retaining the distinction was a challenging task and expressed happiness over Vijayawada securing the third rank again. He thanked public representatives, citizens, sanitation workers, officials, civic staff, voluntary organisations, resident welfare associations and media representatives for their collective contribution. Additional Commissioner (Projects) Dr D Chandrasekhar and Chief Medical and Health Officer Dr CH Nirmala Glory were also present.