Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini Leads Mega Cleanliness Drive in Gurugram, Vows Top Swachhta Ranking
Amid public participation from thousands, including Dera Sacha Sauda volunteers, initiative aims to transform urban hygiene under Swachh Bharat banner, but echoes recent civic backlash.
NewsArc Bureau
Gurugram, September 11, 2025 – Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini spearheaded a massive cleanliness campaign in Gurugram on Thursday, personally joining sanitation workers to sweep streets and urging residents to adopt hygiene as a way of life. The event, part of the Haryana City Cleanliness Campaign 2025, saw enthusiastic involvement from thousands of volunteers, including a large contingent from Dera Sacha Sauda in Sirsa, who focused on clearing garbage heaps, unclogging drains, and restoring water bodies in the city’s dirtiest areas.
The Chief Minister, accompanied by Gurugram MLA Mukesh Sharma and Sohna MLA Tejpal Tanwar, participated in hands-on cleaning at Sohna Chowk and Sector 52, emphasizing community-driven efforts to elevate Gurugram to the top spot in national cleanliness rankings. “With better administrative management and public participation, we will make Gurugram number one in swachhta rankings,” Saini declared, calling on residents to contribute to a “clean, pure, and healthy” city under the theme ‘My Gurugram – Clean Gurugram.’ He shared videos of the drive on social media, inspiring widespread engagement.
Addressing the gathered crowd, Saini highlighted cleanliness as the foundation of a happy environment, urging continuous adoption of hygienic practices. He assured government support for the initiative and announced accelerated development works post-monsoon to enhance residents’ convenience. The campaign, spanning 11 weeks, focuses on beautification and improvement of urban areas, with swachhta rankings to be determined for each region. “Haryana will witness a significant positive change through this drive,” he added.
Linking the effort to national goals, the CM credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Swachh Bharat Mission, launched on October 2, 2014, for turning cleanliness into a people’s movement. “Swachhta is not just a government responsibility but a collective duty for all citizens—keep your homes, streets, neighborhoods, and wards clean,” Saini exhorted. He also previewed the upcoming Seva Pakhwada from September 17 (PM Modi’s birthday) to October 2, featuring activities like tree planting, health camps, sports awareness, and public outreach to drive social change.
Saini expressed special gratitude to social organizations, Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), and trade bodies for their collaboration, noting the drive’s scale involved over a lakh volunteers across 46 sites in Gurugram.
Echoing the CM’s vision, MLA Mukesh Sharma affirmed the campaign’s longevity: “This drive to make Gurugram clean and beautiful won’t be limited to a day or week—it will become a continuous public movement. We won’t let it stop under any circumstances.” He stressed the need for active citizen involvement, framing swachhta as a mindset and lifestyle change essential for success.
The initiative comes amid heightened scrutiny of Gurugram’s civic infrastructure. In recent months, the state government has faced sharp criticism from netizens over persistent issues like poor sanitation, waterlogging, and inadequate drainage systems. Viral videos of flooded streets after rains drew sarcastic comparisons to “Venice,” with users lambasting the “millennium city” for crumbling roads, garbage piles, and health hazards. A French expat’s post decrying the city’s “horrifying” filth sparked widespread debate, while sectors like 46 reported ongoing garbage accumulation and foul odors exacerbating residents’ woes.
Adding to the discourse, just weeks ago, foreign nationals led by Serbian influencer Lazar Randjelovic organized a grassroots cleanliness drive, cleaning roads and drains while urging locals to maintain at least a two-meter radius around their homes and shops. The viral effort, involving expats from Serbia, France, and beyond, garnered praise but also ignited outrage over civic failures, with netizens questioning why outsiders had to step in for basic sanitation. “India is amazing, but garbage is everywhere,” Lazar remarked, highlighting the need for collective action.
As Gurugram pushes for a cleaner future, Thursday’s mega drive signals a renewed commitment, but sustained efforts will be key to addressing longstanding grievances and achieving the coveted top ranking.
