- SBM-U 2.0 promotes transformation of neglected urban areas through Cleanliness Target Units.
- Alappuzha in Kerala cleared 5.4 tons of waste from a fallow plot and repurposed it into a flower garden.
- Metpally Municipality removed 4 tons of debris from a temple pond with participation from 80 locals.
- Macherla’s campaign engaged 1,500 volunteers and collected 150 metric tonnes of waste.
- Jamshedpur’s pond cleanup at Kailash Sarovar removed over 2 tonnes of waste with community support.
Swachh Bharat Mission-U: A Community-Driven Change
Urban areas across India are undergoing a cleanliness and beautification revolution under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U) 2.0. One of the innovative tools driving this change is the Cleanliness Target Units (CTUs) initiative, which encourages Urban Local Bodies to turn forgotten and polluted spaces into usable and aesthetic public areas. This grassroots movement is redefining public spaces while boosting civic engagement and pride.
Alappuzha Turns Waste Land into Floral Heritage Spot
Alappuzha Municipality in Kerala transformed a 15-cent unused plot near Sathabdi Mandiram into a blooming public garden. Previously overgrown and cluttered with 5.4 tons of waste, it is now adorned with yellow and orange Chrysanthemum flowers. The repainted water tank featuring Swachhata messages now stands as an attractive landmark. The flowers grown here also contributed to the Pookkalam for Onam, underscoring the project’s cultural connection.
Metpally Restores Spiritual Site with Community Effort
In Telangana, Metpally Municipality rejuvenated the Koneru pond at Chenna Keshavanatha Swamy Temple, a once-polluted sacred site. During the Swachhata Hi Seva campaign, around 80 volunteers helped remove 4 tons of waste. The pond’s full restoration restored its religious and environmental value, marking a triumph of collective action.
Macherla Volunteers Clean Up 150 MT Waste Pile
Macherla Municipality in Andhra Pradesh took up a massive sanitation exercise at Yadavula bazar. Aided by 1,500 volunteers including students and SHG members, the team collected around 150 metric tonnes of waste from an area used to dump animal refuse. Decorative rangolis, repainted walls, and freshly planted saplings now define the space, replacing unhealthy waste sites with a colourful community zone.
Jamshedpur Community Restores Kailash Sarovar
The pond cleaning drive at Kailash Sarovar in Jamshedpur’s Sonari ward united citizens, Safai Mitras, and youth groups. Driven by the idea of neighbourhood ownership, participants cleared over 2 tonnes of silt and plastic waste, restoring the water body’s natural charm and ecology.
A Nationwide Push for Cleaner Cities
These case studies illustrate how Cleanliness Target Units are turning cluttered and neglected sites into cleaner, greener spaces under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0. They also highlight how sanitation workers, NGOs, youth groups, and citizens are all embracing the ethos of Swachhata, contributing actively to the nationwide cleanliness mission.