MLA Bonda Umamaheswara Rao exhorted the residents of Vijayawada to ensure that the city always tops the annual “Swachh Survekshan Survey” rankings. The onus of safeguarding the “garbage-free city” title given to Vijayawada in the Swachh Survey-2024 falls on everyone, he added.
Speaking at “Swarna Andhra-Swachh Andhra” programme, organised by the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC), at M.K. Baig School in the city on Saturday (September 20, 2025), Mr. Rao pointed out that the city was awarded a seven-star rating in the Swachh Survey-2024. “We should safeguard the status,” he added.
NTR District In‑charge Officer and Chief Commissioner of Land Administration G. Jayalakshmi said that the public participation is crucial for the success of the “Swarna Andhra-Swachh Andhra” programme, held every third Saturday, and with their cooperation the city will certainly achieve top honours.
VMC Commissioner Dhyanachandra H.M. noted that since this month’s theme is Green Andhra Pradesh (Harita Andhra), awareness drives are organised regarding home vegetable cultivation, composting of household waste to produce fertiliser, etc. The Commissioner also directed officials to begin terrace gardens at both the main and zonal offices of the corporation.
Eluri Leela Kumari, Founder of NGO One Earth One Life, said that vegetable seeds were being distributed free of charge to encourage people to start terrace gardening.
As part of the programme, students planted 300 saplings at M.K. Baig School and also on the premises of Makineni Basava Punnaiah Indoor Stadium.
Corporator Shaheena Sultana, Additional Commissioner (Projects) D. Chandrashekar, Zonal Commissioner K. Prabhudas and others were present.
Published – September 20, 2025 07:03 pm IST
