Hyderabad, Warangal among 50 cities chosen for urban transformation
HYDERABAD: Hyderabad and Warangal are among 50 cities across 24 states and Union Territories selected under the Centre’s PRAGATI-50 initiative. The programme aims to develop model urban centres focused on cleanliness and sanitation.
Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal launched the initiative in New Delhi on September 29 under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0. The selected cities will focus on urban cleanliness, solid waste management, used-water management, sanitation and citizen participation.
Initiative follows directions at 51st PRAGATI meeting
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) said the initiative follows directions given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 51st PRAGATI meeting.
Under the programme, cities will prepare targeted action plans based on key performance indicators (KPIs). They will also use technology to track progress and improve service delivery.
In Telangana, Hyderabad and Warangal feature in the list. The Hyderabad urban area will include the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, Cyberabad Municipal Corporation and Malkajgiri Municipal Corporation. Warangal Municipal Corporation will implement the programme in Warangal.
In Andhra Pradesh, the Centre has selected Tirupati and Visakhapatnam. Tirupati Municipal Corporation will implement the programme in Tirupati. Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation will oversee the initiative in Visakhapatnam.
Union Minister @mlkhattar launches PRAGATI-50 initiative to develop 50 Model Cities for Swachhata in New Delhi today
✴️Swachh Bharat Test Bed by CSIR-CMERI launched
✴️3rd Cohort of Swachhata Startups onboarded in collaboration with IIT Kanpur
✴️Reduce, Reuse and Recycle Centre… pic.twitter.com/Iz15sVLfJC
— PIB India (@PIB_India) September 29, 2026
Digital system to track progress
The Centre selected the cities based on their economic, cultural, heritage, pilgrimage, tourism and administrative importance.
The initiative aims to move beyond routine sanitation work. It will focus on sustained performance standards that other urban centres can replicate.
Meanwhile, the Centre has set up a PRAGATI-like digital review mechanism on the Swachhatam Portal. Ministry officials will monitor specific cities and provide regular supervision and support.
The ministry will use outcome-based assessments and technology-enabled monitoring to review progress. Manohar Lal will chair review meetings every two months.
The programme will also use micro-level action plans and a “City as a Whole” approach. Urban local bodies and other stakeholders will take part in planning and implementation.
The Centre said the approach will help improve citizen experience and urban service delivery.
The ministry has also released guidelines for source segregation of municipal solid waste. It also issued a standard operating procedure for secondary collection centres handling construction and demolition waste.
Test bed, startups and WhatsApp channel launched
The Centre has launched a Swachh Bharat Test Bed and Innovation Centre at Durgapur in collaboration with CSIR-CMERI. The centre will support research, testing and development of sanitation technologies.
The ministry also launched the third cohort of 13 startups working on sanitation and waste-management solutions. IIT Kanpur is collaborating with the ministry on the programme.
With the latest cohort, the number of startups engaged by the mission has reached 75, according to the ministry.
In addition, the Centre launched a dedicated WhatsApp channel for citizens. The channel will help people register cleanliness-related complaints and participate in efforts to keep cities clean.
The selected cities will demonstrate practices and solutions that other urban centres can replicate. According to the PIB announcement, PRAGATI-50 aims to set higher benchmarks for urban cleanliness through targeted action and intensive monitoring.
