Centre Hails Telangana as National Model for Citizen-Led Urban Sanitation Under SBM-U 2.0
HYDERABAD: The Centre has praised Telangana for setting a national benchmark in citizen-led urban sanitation under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U) 2.0.
The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs said Telangana has successfully turned public participation into lasting action through well-planned information, education and communication (IEC) campaigns. The ministry said the state’s efforts have improved urban cleanliness, public health and sustainable waste management.
Behavioural Change Drives Success
SBM-U 2.0 focuses on scientific waste management and active citizen participation. Telangana placed behavioural change and community ownership at the heart of its sanitation campaign. As a result, cleanliness activities grew into a people’s movement across urban areas.
100-Day Campaign Reached 27 Lakh Households
The state launched a 100-day action plan from June 2 to September 10, 2025, covering all urban local bodies. The campaign focused on sanitation, environmental protection and public health.
Authorities began the drive with large public rallies. Around 36,900 people joined events that covered nearly 250 km.
Officials also carried out a door-to-door awareness campaign. They reached 27 lakh households and encouraged families to segregate waste at source and adopt home composting. The campaign helped strengthen civic responsibility for cleaner neighbourhoods.
Women Lead Green Initiatives
Telangana linked sanitation with environmental protection through the “Amrut Mitra – Women for Trees” initiative.
More than 10,700 women from self-help groups (SHGs) planted 24,708 saplings across urban areas. On World Environment Day, another 13,488 citizens participated in awareness rallies covering 113 km.
Focus on Health and Clean Water
The state also strengthened public health measures during the campaign.
Authorities organised medical camps for 25,386 sanitation workers. They cleaned 18,351 km of stormwater drains and nalas to reduce flooding and prevent vector-borne diseases.
Health teams visited more than 15.02 lakh households to spread awareness about seasonal diseases. Officials also cleaned 621 overhead drinking water tanks to improve access to safe drinking water.
Sanitation Campaign Supports Women’s Livelihoods
The campaign also boosted women’s economic empowerment.
The government disbursed ₹1,045.04 crore in loans to 8,546 women-led self-help groups. SHG members showcased their products at food festivals and melas, generating sales worth ₹77.12 lakh.
99-Day Action Plan Builds on Momentum
Building on the success of the first campaign, Telangana launched another 99-day action plan from March to June.
The programme focused on sanitation, drinking water, heat mitigation, governance reforms and citizen participation. Officials conducted awareness drives in more than 6.5 lakh households. They also organised 194 cleanliness campaigns, Swachhata rallies, Sunday Funday activities and public pledge programmes involving over 22,482 citizens.
Telangana Emerges as SBM-U 2.0 Role Model
The Union Ministry said Telangana’s continued focus on behavioural change and citizen participation has made it one of the country’s strongest performers under Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0.
The ministry added that the state’s model shows how sustained public engagement can improve sanitation, strengthen public health and create cleaner, more sustainable cities.
