NMMC secures the prestigious first position among 4,751 cities, Mayor Sujata Patil receives the award from President Droupadi Murmu in New Delhi.

The First Position

Navi Mumbai has secured the first position among the country’s cleanest cities in the Swachh Survekshan 2025-26, conducted under the Swachh Bharat Mission by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

The prestigious award was presented by President Droupadi Murmu during a ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. Navi Mumbai Mayor Sujata Patil received the award in the presence of Deputy Mayor Dashrath Bhagat, Municipal Commissioner Dr Kailas Shinde and City Engineer Haribhau Wadkar.

Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Minister of State Tokhan Sahu and Ministry Secretary Satyendra Singh were also present at the ceremony. NMMC Additional Commissioner Sunil Pawar and Deputy Commissioner of the Solid Waste Management Department, Dr Ajay Garde, attended the event. Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation has consistently maintained its position among India’s leading clean cities. Over the past three to four years, the civic body has pursued a planned and sustained approach towards improving cleanliness and waste management.

This year, Navi Mumbai achieved the top honour by outperforming 4,751 cities across the country, marking a significant milestone in its cleanliness journey. The achievement reflects the collective efforts of the municipal administration, sanitation workers and citizens in maintaining the city’s cleanliness standards.

BJP corporator Shilpa Thakur and social worker Rajesh Thakur encourage young participants to preserve Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s legacy and Maharashtra’s cultural heritage.

The Competition

A fort-making competition organised during Diwali under the leadership of BJP corporator Shilpa Thakur and social worker Rajesh Thakur in Sanpada’s Ward No. 19 received an enthusiastic response from children across the area.

The organisers personally visited the participants and inspected the miniature forts created by them. The models showcased impressive creativity and craftsmanship, featuring grand bastions, strong fortifications, attractive gateways, historical structures and figurines of Maratha soldiers, bringing the glory of the Shivaji era to life.

The initiative aimed to familiarize children with the bravery of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, his struggle for Swarajya and the rich heritage of Maharashtra’s forts. It also encouraged children to engage in traditional activities beyond today’s mobile-driven digital environment. Expressing happiness over the participation, Shilpa Thakur congratulated the children and said that participation and enthusiasm were equally important as winning a competition. She appreciated their efforts in working with soil and showcasing their creativity.

One of the young participants, who built a model of Rajgad Fort, said the competition had motivated children to construct more forts and understand the importance of preserving and maintaining historical monuments. The organisers said such initiatives help nurture historical awareness, cultural values and creativity among the younger generation.

Dashrath Bhagat and his family distribute festive treats and firecrackers, recognising the contribution of women sanitation workers to the city’s cleanliness.

The Celebration

Navi Mumbai Deputy Mayor Dashrath Bhagat and his family celebrated Diwali and Bhai Dooj with women waste pickers and their families in Vashi, acknowledging their contribution to keeping the city clean and highlighting the dignity of their work.

The programme was organised in the slum area of Sector 30, Vashi, in the presence of corporators Nishant Bhagat and Preeti Sandeep Bhagat, along with social worker Sandeep Bhagat. Diwali snacks were distributed among the families, while firecrackers were gifted to children to make the celebrations special.

Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Mayor Dashrath Bhagat said women waste pickers play an important role in making Navi Mumbai clean, beautiful and fragrant. He emphasised that their efforts deserve recognition and appreciation from society.

Corporator Nishant Bhagat said celebrating Diwali and Bhai Dooj with these women was a special experience. He added that the true spirit of festivals lies in spreading happiness among others. The smiles of the women, the joy of their children and their blessings were the family’s greatest gifts, he said. The initiative was organised under the ‘Sugandhi Shahar’ (Fragrant City) campaign, implemented as part of the Swachh Bharat Mission under the inspiration and guidance of State Forest Minister Ganesh Naik.

The campaign aims to encourage public participation in cleanliness initiatives while recognising the contribution of different sections of society towards keeping Navi Mumbai clean.