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Vijayawada wards shine in Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan
In Short
- Ward 60 bags second rank at national level in the Best Performing Wards – Category II
- Ward 31 emerges State topper with perfect 200/200 marks in Category 11
- VMC gets Rs 45 lakh in prize money for clean-air initiatives
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VMC Commissioner HM Dhyanachandra receiving the national-level Best Performing Ward award for Ward 60 and a Rs 30 lakh specimen cheque from Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav in New Delhi on Monday; The gas crematorium in 60th Ward of Vijayawada Municipal Corporation in Singh Nagar area
Vijayawada: The Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) has received prestigious recognition at both State and national levels in Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2026, part of National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) conducted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
The 60th Ward of VMC secured second rank at national level in the Best Performing Wards – Category II, covering wards with a population of 10,000 to 30,000. It scored 190 out of 200 marks and received a cash prize of Rs 30 lakh. In this category, Wards 36 and 30 of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation jointly secured first rank at national level.
31st Ward also brought laurels to the city by securing first rank at State level in Category II, covering wards with a population of 10,000 to 30,000, under Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan–2026 State-level awards. The ward secured a perfect score of 200 out of 200 marks and received a cash prize of Rs 15 lakh. It shared first rank with Ward 42 of Guntur Municipal Corporation.
The awards were presented on Monday at a ceremony held at Ganga Auditorium, Paryavaran Bhawan, New Delhi, in celebration of National Clean Air Day. VMC Commissioner HM Dhyanachandra accepted the award on behalf of the civic body from Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav, Union Minister of State Kirti Vardhan Singh, and Secretary Tanmay Kumar.
During the ceremony, Dhyanachandra credited this achievement to the guidance and support of the State government under Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister P Narayana, Principal Secretary S Suresh Kumar, and Commissioner and Director of Municipal Administration (CDMA) P Sampath Kumar. He also expressed gratitude to elected representatives, citizens, VMC officials and staff, and media for their cooperation.
He noted that 60th Ward had implemented several initiatives focused on environmental protection, scientific waste management, air pollution control, and increasing green cover. Key projects include Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle Centre and a Material Recovery Facility (MRF) that have aided in the systematic segregation and recovery of recyclable and reusable materials.
Other initiatives involve creating bricks from construction and demolition waste, windrow composting for organic waste management, and developing dust-free roads along with effective dust-control measures.
The ward has also introduced Miyawaki mini forests and extensive plantation programs to enhance green cover. Furthermore, steps are being taken to promote electric mobility through the establishment of EV charging points and encouragement of electric vehicle use.
Regarding 31st Ward, Commissioner Dhyanachandra highlighted innovative measures such as vermicomposting, modern equipment at the crematorium to control air pollution, the development of greenery along Eluru Canal bund, and the establishment of an EV charging station, all contributing to its outstanding performance.
Dhyanachandra emphasised that the awards reflect VMC’s sustained commitment to creating a cleaner, greener, and healthier Vijayawada. He reiterated that the corporation would continue its efforts to ensure the city remains pollution-free and environmentally sustainable.
