Secunderabad cantonment named cleanest in India

The Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB) has been recognised as the best Cantonment Board for its sanitation efforts. The SCB was honoured with a Ministerial Award in the Special Category in the Swachh Survekshan 2024–25, conducted by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. The award celebrates SCB’s efforts in solid waste management and the implementation of innovative sanitation practices, making it the only cantonment in India to receive this honour.

The award was received by SCB Chief Executive Officer (CEO) D. Madhukar Naik by Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal Khattar in New Delhi on Thursday, July 17. It acknowledges the exceptional achievements in sanitation and solid waste management across Cantonment Boards nationwide.

“Some of SCB’s key sanitation initiatives include 95% coverage of systematic door-to-door waste collection, 100% cleanliness in residential and market areas, and 75% source segregation of waste. The Board also undertook extensive community engagement through awareness campaigns and school programmes, which significantly contributed to its success,” said Madhukar Naik.

SCB secured the top position among 58 cantonments in the country, earning the title of the ‘Cleanest Cantonment’. It ranked 11th in the national urban rankings. The cantonment also achieved a three-star rating under the Garbage Free City certification and received the Water+ certification for Open Defecation Free (ODF) status.