Malkajgiri Municipal Corporation enlists Ex-servicemen to drive ‘Swachh’ initiative
HYDERABAD: In a bid to strengthen its sanitation infrastructure and community engagement, the newly formed Malkajgiri Municipal Corporation (MMC) has launched a unique initiative under the Praja Palana- Pragathi Pranalika program. Dubbed Mana Malkajgiri- Manchi Malkajgiri- Swachh Malkajgiri, the program deploys a team of Ex-Servicemen (ESM), or Swachh ESM, to monitor and improve cleanliness across the corporation’s 74 wards.
The initiative was formally launched by MMC Commissioner Vinay Krishna Reddy, IAS, who, along with Zonal Commissioners Hemanth and Radhika Gupta, met with the newly appointed Swachh ESM team to brief them on their critical role.
Commissioner Reddy highlighted the need for ground-level assessment before implementing new measures. “It is essential to assess the prevailing status on the ground. Your role is not just to monitor but to understand the challenges and work collaboratively with the community to find solutions,” he told the ESM team.
Each of the 14 Swachh ESM will be assigned to a specific circle and will focus on monitoring Swachh Auto Trolleys (SATs) and eliminating garbage vulnerable points (GVPs) in their areas. They will serve as a key link between the corporation, SAT drivers, and the public.
The ESMs will work directly with SAT drivers, Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), and community groups to promote collective cleanliness efforts. Assistant Commissioner (Health & Sanitation) Sri Raghu Prasad expressed confidence in the model, stating, “The discipline and dedication of our ex-servicemen, combined with this structured approach, will undoubtedly lead to a much cleaner Malkajgiri.”
The program is implemented in partnership with the National Academy of Construction (NAC). Maj Shiva Kiran, NAC consultant, announced that SATs will be monitored using a GIS-based platform.
“We will be utilizing the Bhuvan Geo Portal, provided by the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), for effective, real-time monitoring of the approximate 1,300 SATs operating across the MMC,” Maj Kiran explained. The portal will offer circle and ward-level access to track the availability and movement of auto trolleys, ensuring greater accountability and efficiency.
To enhance transparency and community involvement, MMC will share the contact numbers of Swachh ESMs with the public. Residents can use these contacts to report grievances, provide feedback, and participate in the Praja Palana-Pragathi Pranalika program.
Following the briefing, the 14 Swachh ESM were introduced to the Commissioner and directed to meet with their respective Deputy Commissioners to begin their new initiatives, marking the start of a concerted effort to turn Malkajgiri into a model of urban cleanliness.
