Vijayawada Ranks 6th In Swachh Survekshan 2023, Sets Benchmark In Urban Sanitation

Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) has clinched the 6th position in the prestigious Swachh Survekshan 2023 clean city rankings, underscoring its unwavering commitment to maintaining exemplary standards of urban sanitation. 

With a population exceeding one million, Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh boasts a robust workforce comprising nearly 4,000 sanitation workers and 300 wet waste workers, efficiently processing approximately 520 tons per day (TPD) of waste.

A testament to its progressive waste management infrastructure, VMC operates advanced processing facilities including a Material Recovery Facility (MRF) plant and a Waste to Energy Plant, facilitating effective management of dry waste. The corporation's arsenal includes six vermicompost plants, four windrow compost plants, and one bio-methanation plant, complemented by specialised units for processing flower waste, coconut waste, and horticulture waste.

VMC's bio-methanation plant processes 16 tons of wet waste per day, augmenting power generation while ensuring cost-effective waste processing methods. To raise public awareness, the corporation has conceived an information park within its integrated solid waste management plant, showcasing its sanitation initiatives and fostering community engagement.

Addressing the challenge of Construction & Demolition (C&D) waste, Vijayawada operates a processing plant with a capacity of 200 TPD, converting waste into bricks and paver blocks. The corporation's proactive measures include the elimination of legacy waste dumpsites through bio-mining processes, transforming reclaimed land into green spaces and establishing an integrated solid waste management plant.

Innovative initiatives such as permanent Recycle, Reuse, and Reduce (RRR) centres managed by Self Help Group (SHG) women, plastic collection centres, and a 'wall of kindness' encourage citizens to actively participate in waste management endeavours. Additionally, VMC efficiently manages wastewater through a network of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs), with treated water utilised for agricultural irrigation and other purposes.

As a canal-rich city, Vijayawada has also undertaken extensive canal cleaning drives, removing 6000 tons of waste from canal bunds. The collaborative efforts of VMC and its citizens underscore the city's commitment to promoting cleanliness and sustainability, setting a benchmark for urban sanitation practices nationwide.