Vijayawada: In a major move to improve sanitation and urban living standards, the Andhra Pradesh govt launched a statewide sanitation enhancement initiative under the Positive People Perception Tracking (PPT) framework. This ambitious programme is integrated into the Real Time Governance System (RTGS) and aims to improve citizen satisfaction by setting concrete performance benchmarks for sanitation services across Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).Principal secretary of municipal administration and urban development(MAUD) S Suresh Kumar announced that the initiative would rely on real-time citizen feedback collected through the Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS). This digital feedback mechanism will help monitor service quality and ensure accountability at every level of urban governance.Sanitation satisfaction targets were set for all municipalities and corporations. Municipal Corporations are expected to achieve at least 80% satisfaction in door-to-door garbage collection, 75% in garbage dump clearance, and 75% in drain de-silting. For the 77 municipalities, the targets are slightly adjusted—garbage collection and dump clearance must reach 70%, while drain de-silting must meet an 80% benchmark. For Nagara Panchayats, the IVRS feedback system will be rolled out from September 2025.To implement the initiative effectively, ULB Commissioners were instructed to take proactive and visible measures. These include routine field inspections, public awareness campaigns, route rationalisation for sanitation staff, and quick resolution of complaints. Garbage dumps are to be cleared within 24 hours of identification, and before-and-after photographic documentation will be used to ensure transparency. Drains in flood-prone zones are being prioritised for regular de-silting and maintenance, with signage marking cleaned areas. All operations must strictly follow the Manual Scavengers Prohibition and Rehabilitation Act, 2013.“The govt is firmly committed to making Andhra Pradesh’s cities cleaner, healthier, and more citizen-friendly,” said Suresh Kumar, reaffirming the administration’s dedication to evidence-based governance and people-centric service delivery.
