Amaravati, Apr 17 (TNT) : Visakhapatnam district has secured the top position in the Swachh Andhra rankings, followed by Vizianagaram and Guntur in second and third places, respectively, during a review of the ‘Swarna Andhra–Swachh Andhra’ programme.
Sri Sathya Sai, Parvathipuram Manyam and Alluri Sitarama Raju (ASR) districts ranked at the bottom, according to officials.
The rankings were based on parameters such as door-to-door waste collection, segregation of wet and dry waste, availability of individual household toilets and compliance with ODF Plus standards.
Reviewing the programme, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu directed officials to implement a time-bound action plan to achieve targets and stressed accountability for delays.
He instructed officials to construct additional public toilets in municipalities, set up waste-to-energy plants in designated zones and convert cleared dumping yards into green spaces, especially near villages and towns.
Officials informed that out of 153 lakh tonnes of urban waste generated since June 2024, about 114 lakh tonnes has been cleared.
The Chief Minister directed that 100 per cent clearance be achieved by June and called for removal of 10 lakh metric tonnes of waste in rural areas.
Naidu emphasised achieving 100 per cent efficiency in door-to-door waste collection and processing, and suggested coordination with MARKFED for compost marketing.
He also called for innovative solutions such as community soak pits linked to drainage systems to address wastewater issues.
The Chief Minister directed that all villages be declared ODF Plus by September and stressed the need to expand air quality monitoring by adding 53 new manual stations to the existing 83.
He also set targets to increase the state’s green cover from 31.33 per cent to 37 per cent by 2030 and further to 50 per cent by 2047.
Senior officials, including Minister for Municipal Administration P Narayana and other department heads, were present at the review meeting.
TNT KM
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