KARNAL, July 12— Marking a major milestone in its urban governance journey, Karnal has been selected for the President’s Award under the Swachh Survekshan 2024, cementing its place among India’s cleanest cities. The honour, announced by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, makes Karnal the first municipal corporation in Haryana to receive this national recognition.
The award will be formally conferred by President Droupadi Murmu on July 17 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. Karnal’s exact national ranking will also be revealed during the ceremony.
Lauding the achievement, Mayor Renu Bala Gupta expressed gratitude to the city’s sanitation workers, known as Safai Mitras, and residents for their contribution. “This honour is the outcome of collective will — from sanitation staff to citizens — all working towards a cleaner Karnal,” she said. She also linked the achievement to the broader goals of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, calling it a transformative step in India’s journey toward becoming garbage-free.
Municipal Commissioner Vaishali Sharma credited the award to relentless efforts on the ground. “Our Safai Mitras are the true heroes. They have worked in demanding conditions with unmatched dedication. This award is not just a trophy — it’s a symbol of our commitment to sustainable urban living,” she said. Sharma also stressed the importance of maintaining momentum and using the recognition as a launchpad for future innovation.
Additional Municipal Commissioner Ashok Kumar added that the next goal is to make Karnal India’s cleanest city overall. “We’ve proven what determination can achieve. But the journey doesn’t stop here. We aim higher now,” he said.
Officials at the Karnal Municipal Corporation (KMC) noted that this success is a result of months of strategic planning, citizen engagement, and new sanitation models that involved all stakeholders — from policymakers to municipal staff to residents.
Karnal’s latest accolade follows a challenging period in Swachh Survekshan 2023, where the city had suffered a notable dip in rankings. It had slipped to 115th position among cities with a population over one lakh — a drop of 30 places from its 85th rank in 2022. The city had previously shown strong performance with ranks of 17th in 2020, 24th in 2019, and 41st in 2018.
In a related development, Sonepat city was awarded the Minister’s Award for excellence in sanitation at the state level, further showcasing Haryana’s growing focus on urban cleanliness.
With the President’s Award now under its belt, Karnal sets a new benchmark for other cities in the state, signaling a renewed era of citizen-driven cleanliness and sustainable urban development.
