Shinde Vows Continuous Cleanliness Drive For Healthier Mumbai
Deputy CM hails sanitation workers as city’s true heroes during ‘Swachhata Hi Seva 2025’ campaign
Mumbai, Sept 25 — Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Mumbai Guardian Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday reaffirmed that a deep-cleaning campaign will continue across the city to ensure citizens’ health and a cleaner, greener Mumbai.
Speaking at a mass cleanliness drive under the ‘Swachhata Hi Seva 2025’ campaign, Shinde praised sanitation workers, calling them “the true heroes” who keep Mumbai clean and protect public health. “Without sanitation workers, Mumbai could not remain clean, beautiful and green,” he said.
The initiative, themed “One Day, One Hour, Together”, was carried out at Mahatma Gandhi Road (Metro Cinema to Fashion Street) with participation from BMC officers, municipal workers, school and college students, NGOs and local residents.
Continuous cleanliness as public health mission
Shinde stressed that cleanliness is not a one-time event but a year-round movement, echoing Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of sanitation as a form of freedom. He noted that the Swachh Bharat Mission has already transformed the nation, with millions of new toilets and access to clean drinking water reaching households.
The Deputy CM outlined upcoming efforts:
- 6,317 cleanliness-related public programmes across Maharashtra
- Health camps for sanitation workers
- Swachh Harit Mahotsav (Clean and Green Festival)
- Prabhat Pheris (morning rallies), honours for sanitation workers, civic volunteers, and top-performing local bodies
Green Mumbai and infrastructure push
Shinde highlighted BMC’s steps in environmental conservation, including the plantation of over one lakh trees, creation of urban forests and parks, and development of the upcoming Mumbai Central Park — a 300-acre world-class park spanning Mahalaxmi Racecourse and the coastal road area.
On infrastructure, he said Mumbai is moving towards 100% concretization of roads within two years, ensuring pothole-free streets for citizens.
Support for sanitation workers
Shinde also announced improved amenities for sanitation workers’ housing colonies, quality education for their children, and regular health camps for their families. The earlier “Deep Clean Drive” had shown major impact, and the government now aims to scale it to 100% success across the city.
Civic commissioner’s assurance
BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani said the focus on cleanliness goes beyond appearance: “The goal is to create a healthier living environment and improve citizens’ quality of life. Public cleanliness is a continuous process, and BMC is committed to sustaining it vigorously.”