Panaji Named India’s Cleanest City in Mid-Size Category for 2024
Panaji has been recognised as the cleanest city in India among those with a population between 50,000 and 2 lakh, a milestone achieved under the ongoing Swachh Bharat Mission. The award, part of the Swachh Survekshan 2024-25, places the Goan capital at the forefront of India’s urban cleanliness movement. Officials credited scientific waste management, door-to-door collection systems, and active citizen participation as key reasons behind the recognition, which has boosted public morale and highlighted the potential of smaller cities to lead on sanitation reforms.
This recognition is seen as a validation of Panaji’s consistent commitment to sustainable urban cleanliness, achieved through structured planning and inclusive implementation. The city’s sanitation drive focused on decentralised waste segregation, citizen-led cleanliness initiatives, and infrastructure improvements that enabled better garbage tracking and disposal. Officials involved in the process said that gaining the ‘Garbage-Free City’ certification earlier set the foundation for this national award. More than a ceremonial win, the recognition indicates how secondary cities can scale replicable models for zero-waste urban development with the right institutional and community support. Panaji’s rise in the cleanliness index also underlines the changing landscape of urban governance in smaller cities. With increasing migration and tourism pressure, many mid-sized cities struggle to manage waste and sanitation efficiently. However, Panaji’s efforts show that technology-backed tracking systems, waste audits, and public engagement can yield tangible results.
Civic workers played a critical role in ensuring daily collection services functioned without interruption, especially during peak tourist seasons. Residents, too, embraced waste segregation protocols, indicating a behavioural shift toward long-term ecological responsibility. Experts believe Panaji’s model can serve as a blueprint for similarly sized cities nationwide looking to scale up their urban health infrastructure. The challenge now lies in maintaining the momentum. While awards boost civic pride, the lasting impact of Swachh Survekshan lies in how consistently policies are followed, especially beyond capital cities. Regular monitoring, transparent public dashboards, and community reward systems have all contributed to keeping Panaji on track. Sustainable urban sanitation is not a one-time effort but a continued process requiring collective will, political commitment, and participatory action.
As India moves toward becoming a ‘zero waste’ nation, Panaji’s achievement offers hope that size is no barrier to sustainability. The city’s approach reflects a future-oriented civic vision where cleanliness is linked not just to visual appeal, but also to health, tourism growth, and environmental equity. Going forward, ensuring continuous public participation and budgetary support will be essential for retaining the title and inspiring similar transformations in cities across the country.
