Pimpri-Chinchwad ranked 7th and Pune ranked 8th in the 2024 Swachh Survekshan (Cleanliness Survey) by the Central Government under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
Pune improved by one rank from last year but still lags in wastewater treatment and coordination, affecting its top-5 potential.
Pimpri-Chinchwad excelled with efficient waste management, securing the top spot in Maharashtra and earning '7-Star Garbage-Free City' and 'Water Plus' certifications.
Pune, 18 July 2025: Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad have once again featured in the top 10 cleanest cities in the country, according to the Central Government’s Swachh Survekshan 2024 rankings under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. Pimpri-Chinchwad secured the 7th position nationally and was ranked first in Maharashtra, while Pune climbed one rank to 8th place compared to last year.
Pune Municipal Corporation’s performance showed signs of improvement, but significant gaps in wastewater treatment and lack of coordination in public cleanliness efforts prevented the city from breaking into the top five. Officials noted that while Pune has the potential and infrastructure, its execution still falls short in key areas.
Swachh Survekshan, conducted annually by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, evaluates cities with populations above 10 lakh based on various parameters, including solid waste management, sewage treatment, public toilets, citizen engagement, and water reuse. A central inspection team assesses each city's efforts and presentations before finalizing the rankings.
According to Solid Waste Management Department head Sandeep Kadam, Pune moved up from 9th to 8th place this year. He emphasized that further improvements in key focus areas could elevate Pune’s standing in future surveys.
Pune Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram remarked that, “What matters more than national rankings is how citizens perceive the cleanliness of their city. While our presentation is consistently strong, we must focus on performance that citizens directly experience.”
Meanwhile, Pimpri-Chinchwad impressed the evaluators with its rigorous and decentralized waste management system. The city ensures door-to-door waste segregation, local composting units, recycling plants, and the use of biogas technology. These efforts led to the city earning the prestigious '7-Star Garbage-Free City' and 'Water Plus' certifications once again.
Last year, Pimpri-Chinchwad had ranked 10th nationally and 3rd in the state. The improved ranking this year highlights the city’s continued commitment to sustainable and effective sanitation practices. The award was accepted in New Delhi by Municipal Commissioner and Administrator Shekhar Singh, Chief Engineer Sanjay Kulkarni, and Health Department Deputy Commissioner Sachin Pawar, along with other civic officials.
