*Chandigarh, November 19:-* The Municipal Corporation Chandigarh has launched a pioneering Swachhata Campaign under Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0, engaging Self Help Groups (SHGs) to strengthen community-led sanitation efforts in the city.
City Mayor Smt. Harpreet Kaur Babla launched the campaign in the presence of MC Commissioner Sh. Amit Kumar, IAS, marking a significant step toward deepening citizen participation in the cleanliness movement.
As part of this pilot initiative, two high-density areas—Sector 26 (Bapu Dham Colony) and Sector 25 (Janta Colony)—have been identified for intensive door-to-door Information, Education & Communication (IEC) outreach covering a total of 5,609 households. Twenty SHG members, deployed in teams of two, will carry out household visits to create awareness on waste segregation into four categories, avoidance of single-use plastics, the importance of maintaining clean surroundings, and the use of the “I’m CHD” mobile application.
The teams will also distribute pamphlets and create awarenessamong masses regarding source segregation of waste. All activities will be carried out under the supervision of the SDO, NULM.
The Sanitation Department, MC Chandigarh, will depute adequate manpower support and ensure that the concerned area staff, particularly the CSI, coordinates the field activities and maintains attendance of SHG members. The department will also conduct a detailed impact assessment of the campaign, including the increase in segregated waste collection, reduction in mixed waste, number of challans issued post-IEC, and suggestions for further improvement. This initiative aims to cultivate behavioural change at the community level and promote long-term sustainable sanitation practices.
Speaking at the launch, the Mayor said that the involvement of SHGs will significantly strengthen grassroots community engagement. “This campaign is not just a cleanliness initiative but a people’s movement. By empowering women-led SHGs and taking awareness directly to households, we are ensuring that every citizen becomes an active stakeholder in maintaining the city’s hygiene and dignity. I urge all residents to cooperate wholeheartedly and help us make Chandigarh cleaner, greener, and healthier.”
During the launch of the campaign, Sh. Amit Kumar, IAS, Commissioner, Municipal Corporation Chandigarh, said that this SHG-led initiative reflects the Municipal Corporation’s commitment to involving communities directly in the cleanliness movement. “Chandigarh can become truly clean only when citizens participate actively and responsibly. By empowering SHGs and reaching every household, the Corporation aims to build awareness, change behaviour, and significantly improve waste management practices in these areas. He appealed to all residents to extend full cooperation to MC teams and join in making Chandigarh a model city for cleanliness and civic responsibility.”
The Municipal Corporation Chandigarh will evaluate the results of this pilot project and plans to scale up the initiative across more sectors in the coming months. The MCC urged the public to support the campaign and contribute to building a cleaner, greener, and healthier Chandigarh.
