The ‘Swachh Shehar, Samridh Shehar’ initiative marks a pivotal step toward fostering sustainable urban development and improving civic engagement in Himachal Pradesh. Launched in February as a 60-day campaign, the programme emphasizes inclusive urban governance through cleanliness, citizen participation, and digital public service delivery.

Solan Tops the Rankings

In the first phase of the initiative, Solan Municipal Corporation emerged as the best-performing civic body among eight Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in the state, securing a score of 86.5 points. Dharamsala followed closely with 86 points, and Palampur stood third with 84 points. The rankings were based on performance in three critical domains:

• Source segregation of waste (Solan: 34 points)
• Samadhan Shivirs – grievance redressal camps (Solan: 33 points)
• Online Citizen Service Portal efficiency (Solan: 19.5 points)

This performance reflects Solan’s consistent efforts in promoting sustainable urban practices and citizen-centric service delivery.

Core Objectives of the Initiative

The ‘Swachh Shehar, Samridh Shehar’ programme aims to:

• Enhance cleanliness through improved waste segregation at the source.
• Promote environmental protection by encouraging behavioural change toward sustainable habits.
• Strengthen urban governance by introducing digital tools for transparency and efficiency.
• Resolve public grievances through Samadhan Shivirs in each ward.

The campaign’s focus on dry and wet waste segregation has brought a measurable shift in public awareness, contributing to higher levels of compliance with solid waste rules and improved sanitation outcomes.

Samadhan Shivirs: A Model for Civic Engagement

Samadhan Shivirs have proven to be instrumental in resolving numerous urban issues, including:

• Streetlight repair
• Efficient garbage collection
• Regular road sweeping
• Drain maintenance
• Control of illegal parking
• Addressing water supply disruptions
• Resolving property tax disputes
• Maintenance of public toilet facilities

These ward-level grievance redressal camps ensure that local problems are addressed promptly and transparently, strengthening public trust in civic bodies.

Digital Transformation Through the Citizen Service Portal

A major component of the programme is the launch of the Citizen Service Portal, accessible via citizenseva.hp.gov.in, developed under the “One State-One Portal” initiative by the Department of Urban Development. The portal provides integrated end-to-end online services, aligning with the vision of e-governance and digital inclusivity.

Key features include:

• Property tax assessment and payment
• Trade license applications
• Booking of community halls
• Grievance redressal mechanism
• Pet registration services
• Advertisement permission processing
• Refuse-derived fuel (RDF) data and services

According to the state government, nine essential services are initially being offered—seven designed for citizens and two for internal ULB management.

Towards a Cleaner, Prosperous Urban Future

The initiative, endorsed as transformative by the state leadership, seeks to lay the foundation for long-term sustainable urban development. By integrating behavioural change, local accountability, and digital services, the programme represents a shift in how urban centres in the state are managed.

As Himachal Pradesh moves forward, programmes like ‘Swachh Shehar, Samridh Shehar’ stand as examples of how thoughtful policy, citizen participation, and smart governance can converge to create cleaner, greener, and more efficient cities.