Uttar Pradesh is set to shine in the Swachh Survekshan-2023 for yet another year.

While Prayagraj and Varanasi are set to bag the prestigious President’s Award, a total of six cities of Uttar Pradesh will be awarded in different categories, the Urban Development department disclosed.

The Swachh Survekshan Awards will be announced on January 11 in New Delhi.

Notably, Noida at the state level and Barwar, Anupshahr and Gajraula at the area level will also be honoured for their commendable efforts in promoting cleanliness.

This year marks a significant positive progress, with 648 cities of the state receiving the Open Defecation Free (ODF) certificate, a notable increase from the 588 cities awarded last year.

Swachh Survekshan-2023 results reveal that 129 cities in Uttar Pradesh have achieved ODF++ status, reflecting adherence to open defecation-free standards and sustainable waste management practices. Apart from this, 435 cities in the state have attained ODF+ status, showcasing the commitment of the Yogi Adityanath government towards cleanliness in the state.

Apart from this, in terms of ‘Garbage-Free City Certificate’, the strides made in Uttar Pradesh are truly noteworthy. Last year, 11 cities secured the esteemed Garbage-Free City title; this year, the number has surged to 65 cities. Noida has achieved a remarkable 5-star rating.

Furthermore, eight cities, including Lucknow, Gorakhpur, Varanasi, Kanpur, Ghaziabad, Aligarh, Jhansi, and Firozabad, have earned a 3-star rating. Besides this 56 state cities have been awarded a 1-star rating, underscoring the government’s dedication to fostering a garbage-free environment. Many cities in Uttar Pradesh are now moving towards a 7-star rating.

Additionally, continuous efforts are being made by the government to elevate more cities to achieve 5-star and 3-star ratings, a government spokesman said.