VMC awards 60, 31 bags for Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan

Vijayawada Municipal Corporation Commissioner Dhyanchandra HM receiving the awards at Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan-2026 in New Delhi on Monday. | Photo credit: BY ARRANGEMENT

Two wards under Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) have received national and state level recognition for Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan-2026, implemented under the National Clean Air Program (NCAP), Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC).

Vijayawada Municipal Corporation’s 60th Ward stood second in the Best Performing Wards category nationally, while 31st Ward was recognized as the Best Performing Ward at the state level.

The awards were presented at a ceremony organized on the occasion of National Clean Air Day in Delhi on Monday. VMC Commissioner Dhyanachandra HM received the award from Union Environment, Forest and Climate Minister Bhupender Yadav, Union External Affairs Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh and Secretary Tanmay Kumar. VMC also received a cash reward of ₹ 30 lakh.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Dhyanachandra pointed out that in line with the objectives of the National Clean Air Programme, the VMC is implementing initiatives for environmental protection, scientific waste management, air pollution control and improvement of green cover. These include, among others, the production of bricks from construction and demolition waste, row composting for the scientific management of organic waste.

The Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Center in the 60th Ward plays an important role in scientific waste management, the VMC Commissioner said. He added that through the Material Recovery Facility (MRF), waste was systematically sorted and recyclable and reusable materials were utilized for further processing and reuse.

The commissioner said these efforts helped the 60th Corps score 190 points out of 200 to rank second nationally.

Meanwhile, the 31st Corps, which secured full marks and emerged as the top performer at the national level, won a cash prize of ₹15,000. Measures including vermicomposting procedures for scientific management of organic waste, installation of modern equipment in the crematorium to control air pollution, development of extensive greenery along the Eluru canal embankment and establishment of electric vehicle charging station have helped the department to function well, the commissioner said.

Published – 07 Sep 2026 20:02 IST