Saturday was a remarkable day filled with happiness for Surat. At the Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2024 event held in Jaipur, the city was awarded first position, earning the title of ‘Cleanest City of India‘. This was a milestone achievement for Surat. For the past few years, Surat had been among the top ten cleanest cities in India, and finally, this year, the city managed to achieve the title.
This remarkable achievement was the result of the persistent and tireless contributions of Surat Mayor Daxesh Mavani, Municipal Commissioner Shalini Agarwal, and other officials of the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC). Daxesh Mavani and Shalini Agarwal together received the certificate and a prize of Rs. 1.5 crore on Saturday at the ‘International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies’ event. The certificate was awarded by Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupendra Yadav, and Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma.
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What is Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan?
Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan is an initiative by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) to rank cities based on the implementation of activities under the city action plan and air quality in 131 NCAP cities. The cities are divided into three specific categories with certain criteria.
Category-1 includes 47 cities with a population over 10 lakh, Category-2 is for cities with a population between three to ten lakh (44 cities fall under this category), and Category-3 includes cities with a total population of less than three lakh (40 cities in this category).
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The top three cities in each category are rewarded by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change with a cash prize, trophy, and certificate with the title “National Clean Air City” under the National Mission for Clean Air on 7th September each year, which coincides with the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies. This initiative fosters overall improvement in the environmental conditions of the cities.
Major Objectives:
- To create awareness among all sections of society.
- To inform citizens about the health impacts of air pollution.
- To compare air quality conditions across different locations/cities.
- To achieve the goal of NCAP: “Clean air for all.”
Surat, the Cleanest City of 2024
Surat is a city in the state of Gujarat, located in the western part of India. It lies on the banks of the river Tapti near its confluence with the Arabian Sea. Surat is the second-largest city in Gujarat after Ahmedabad. It was once a major seaport and is now the commercial and economic center of South Gujarat, and one of the largest urban areas in western India. The city is renowned for its diamond and textile industries and is a major supplier of apparel and accessories.
A study conducted by the Economic Times suggested that Surat will be the world’s fastest-growing city from 2019 to 2035. Surat was titled the “Best City” by the Annual Survey of India’s City-Systems (ASICS) in 2013. It was selected as the first smart IT city in India under the Microsoft CityNext Initiative, which collaborated with IT service giants Tata Consultancy Services and Wipro.
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The Origins
The city’s origins can be traced back to the Hindu town of Suryapur, established between 1500 and 1520 AD. The town was later colonized by the Brigus, a king from Sauvira, on the banks of the Tapi River. According to mythology, Lord Krishna stopped in Surat while traveling from Mathura to Dwaraka.
The city is believed to have been founded by a Brahman named Gopi, who built the Gopi Tank in 1516 and initially named the area Surajpur. In 1520, the area came to be known as Surat. Historically, Surat was a major port where ships from over 84 countries anchored. During the colonial era, the Europeans, Dutch, and Portuguese established their trade in Surat. Today, it is an important industrial hub and commercial center in India, particularly for diamonds and textiles.
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Latest Developments
Surat is rapidly growing and has several developmental projects planned and under implementation. The first section of the Surat Metro is expected to be completed and opened soon. Phase one of the project covers a route length of 41.93 km and is projected to be completed by 2027. The Surat Municipal Corporation plays a crucial role in the city’s development, with upcoming projects aimed at further enhancing the city’s quality of life. These include the creation of green spaces, public amenities, and a continuous promenade with pedestrian and cycle tracks.
As part of achieving the title of ‘Cleanest City of 2024’, 280 clean construction projects have been initiated in Surat. The city has introduced electric buses, mechanical sweepers, and more environmentally friendly initiatives.
[…] Read this also: Surat Crowned Cleanest City of India: A Milestone Achievement at Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2024 […]
[…] Read this also: Surat Crowned Cleanest City of India: A Milestone Achievement at Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2024 […]