Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Goa has secured recognition on the national cleanliness map, with Panaji ranking third among urban centres with a population of 20,000 to 50,000, while Sankhali Municipal Council has been honoured as the State First Swachh City under Swachh Survekshan 2025–26.
The awards were presented by President Droupadi Murmu at a ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.
Panaji secured the third position in its population category, behind Vita in Maharashtra, which topped the rankings, and Aska in Odisha, which secured the second position. Mayor Rohit Monserrate received the award on behalf of the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP). CCP Commissioner Clen Madeira and Urban Development Secretary Yatindra Maralkar were also present.
In another achievement for Goa, Sankhali Municipal Council was recognised as the state’s first Swachh City under the survey. The award was received by Urban Development Secretary Yetindra Maralkar, Sankhali Municipal Council Chairperson Anjana Arjun Kamat, Chief Officer Ishwar Madan Madkaikar and Vice Chairperson Dayanand Boryekar.
The Swachh Survekshan is the country’s nationwide assessment of urban sanitation and cleanliness. It evaluates urban local bodies on parameters such as solid waste management, sanitation facilities and citizen participation.
The latest edition witnessed participation from more than 4,700 urban local bodies across the country, underlining the scale of the annual cleanliness assessment.
At the national level, Navi Mumbai secured the top position among India’s cleanest cities, followed by Surat and Vijayawada.
The twin recognitions place Panaji and Sankhali in the national cleanliness spotlight, highlighting Goa’s performance in the assessment of urban sanitation and civic waste management.
