Kochi Metro Drives Largest Swachhata Hi Seva 2025 Campaign
Kochi has emerged as a pivotal hub in India’s Swachhata Hi Seva 2025 initiative, with Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) spearheading large-scale cleanliness efforts in Choornikkara Panchayat. The drive brought together over 150 KMRL staff and outsourced workers, reinforcing civic engagement and promoting sustainable waste management practices, while highlighting the growing role of metro authorities in urban hygiene campaigns. Officials stressed that public participation is central to achieving a cleaner, greener city environment.
The campaign in Kochi is part of a broader national push where multiple states and organisations are amplifying sanitation awareness. In Uttarakhand, government authorities organised the ‘Ganga Pledge’ at Parvati Prema Jagati Saraswati Vihar in Nainital, encouraging school students to actively engage in cleanliness initiatives. Officials emphasised that fostering habits of hygiene at the community level is crucial for sustainable urban living and long-term environmental impact.
Further reinforcing the nationwide drive, Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL), under the aegis of Coal India Limited, initiated a Special Campaign 5.0 to mark Swachhata Hi Seva 2025. Activities included Shramdaan drives, tree plantation campaigns under ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’, public space beautification, health check-ups for sanitation workers, and Swachhata-themed competitions. Experts highlighted that these multi-pronged interventions reflect corporate India’s growing commitment to urban sustainability, environmental responsibility, and community welfare.
Officials at KMRL noted that integrating civic engagement with large-scale urban infrastructure projects strengthens both environmental and social outcomes. The Choornikkara drive incorporated not only street cleaning but also awareness sessions on segregating waste, proper disposal, and reducing single-use plastics. Urban planners and environmental experts stressed that embedding such practices in daily life is vital to achieving zero net carbon goals and creating equitable, gender-neutral urban spaces.
BCCL’s interventions, officials explained, also focus on employee and worker participation to instil a culture of environmental stewardship. The campaign serves as a model demonstrating how public-private collaboration can drive measurable improvements in cleanliness and hygiene. Experts added that combining infrastructure-led initiatives with community mobilisation ensures broader participation and longer-term behavioural change, a principle central to the Swachhata Hi Seva programme.Kochi’s efforts illustrate how cities can act as catalysts in national movements while simultaneously promoting sustainable, eco-friendly practices. By linking environmental campaigns with citizen involvement, authorities aim to instil a culture of responsible urban living, reduce waste, and foster a cleaner, safer, and more resilient cityscape.
