Mission Clean Punjab launched to improve cleanliness across cities

The Punjab government has launched a new statewide cleanliness campaign called Mission Clean Punjab. The initiative aims to improve sanitation, waste management, and overall cleanliness in cities and towns across the state. Local Government Minister Harjot Singh Bains officially launched the campaign on Monday and announced a strict monitoring system that will require civic officials to conduct daily field inspections.

The campaign is designed to ensure that government officers remain directly involved in maintaining cleanliness and addressing civic issues on the ground. According to the minister, the mission will combine technology, regular inspections, surprise checks, and accountability measures to make urban areas cleaner and more organized.

The government believes that cleanliness is not only important for public health but also for improving the quality of life of residents. Through Mission Clean Punjab, authorities hope to create cleaner streets, better waste disposal systems, and faster responses to civic complaints.

Daily monitoring plan

Speaking at the launch event held at the department headquarters in Chandigarh, Harjot Singh Bains explained that all civic officials will now have to spend time in the field every morning.

Under the new guidelines, officers from urban local bodies will conduct mandatory field visits every day between 7 am and 8 am. During these visits, they will inspect roads, markets, residential areas, public spaces, garbage collection points, and sanitation facilities.

The minister emphasized that cleanliness cannot be maintained through office meetings alone. Officials must personally inspect conditions on the ground and identify problems before they become larger issues.

To make the process more effective, the government has decided to divide every urban local body into zones of approximately 10 kilometers each. Every zone will be supervised by a designated officer responsible for monitoring sanitation work and ensuring that civic services function properly.

The officers assigned to supervise these zones will include:

• Additional Deputy Commissioners (ADCs)

• Municipal Corporation Commissioners

• Joint Commissioners

• Executive Officers

These officials will be responsible for tracking cleanliness standards within their zones and reporting progress regularly.

According to the minister, assigning clear responsibility to specific officers will improve accountability and help ensure that problems are resolved quickly.

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Technology-driven approach

One of the key features of Mission Clean Punjab is the use of technology to monitor progress.

The government has introduced an AI-integrated mobile application that will help officials record inspections, upload photographs, report problems, and track the completion of tasks. The application will create digital records of field visits and help senior authorities monitor performance.

The minister said that technology will allow the government to receive real-time updates from different parts of Punjab. This will reduce delays in communication and make it easier to identify areas where sanitation services require improvement.

The app will also help authorities collect data regarding cleanliness conditions across cities and towns. Officials will be able to compare performance between different areas and take corrective action where necessary.

Apart from digital monitoring, the campaign will include:

• Surprise inspections

• Weekly progress reviews

• Performance assessments

• Real-time reporting through the mobile application

The government hopes that the combination of technology and field monitoring will make the campaign more effective than previous cleanliness drives.

During the launch event, Harjot Singh Bains reviewed the first day of the campaign through a video conference with field officials. He discussed ongoing activities and emphasized the need for consistent efforts across all urban areas.

The minister described the campaign as a continuous effort rather than a short-term initiative.

According to him, maintaining cleanliness requires daily attention and regular monitoring. He stated that officials must treat the campaign as an ongoing responsibility rather than a temporary project.

Bains also announced that he personally plans to conduct surprise inspections in different parts of Punjab. Officers will not be informed in advance about these visits.

He said that inspections could take place anywhere in the state, including major cities and smaller towns. This approach is intended to ensure that officials remain alert and continue performing their duties effectively.

The minister remarked that cleanliness should become a daily mission and referred to the campaign as a "daily war against dirt."

The government believes that surprise inspections will help improve accountability and encourage officials to maintain consistent standards.

Another important aspect of the campaign is the involvement of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

According to Harjot Singh Bains, the Chief Minister will also closely monitor Mission Clean Punjab. Senior officials may receive calls directly from the Chief Minister regarding the progress of cleanliness efforts in their areas.

This high-level monitoring is expected to increase the seriousness with which local officials approach the campaign.

The minister said that officers should be prepared for inspections and reviews at any time. Whether they are working in major cities such as Amritsar, Mohali, Bathinda, or in smaller towns, they will be expected to maintain cleanliness standards throughout the year.

The launch of Mission Clean Punjab reflects the government's broader goal of improving urban governance and public services. Clean surroundings contribute to better health, reduce the spread of diseases, and create a more pleasant environment for residents and visitors.

Officials believe that regular inspections, strong supervision, technology-based monitoring, and direct involvement of senior leaders can help achieve better results.

The campaign is expected to focus on several key areas, including:

• Clean roads and public spaces

• Efficient garbage collection

• Proper waste disposal

• Improved sanitation services

• Faster resolution of civic complaints

• Better monitoring of municipal work

By combining these efforts, the Punjab government hopes to make cities and towns cleaner and more attractive.

As Mission Clean Punjab begins its implementation phase, authorities will closely track its progress through daily reports and inspections. The success of the initiative will depend on the commitment of officials at all levels and their ability to maintain regular field presence.

With mandatory morning visits, AI-based monitoring, surprise checks, and oversight from both the Local Government Minister and the Chief Minister, the government aims to bring lasting improvements to urban cleanliness across Punjab.