Itanagar has achieved the dubious distinction of occupying 71st position among 73 cities in the ongoing Swachh Survekshan 2016. Of 73 cities which were surveyed for sanitation ranking, Mysuru of Karnataka topped the list of clean cities. Chandigarh got the second position, Tiruchirapalli 3rd, New Delhi Municpal Council 4th and Visakhapatnam 5th. Surat was ranked 6th, Rajkot 7th, Gangtok 8th while Pimpri-Chindwad ranked 9th and Greater Mumbai got 10th position. The survey was conducted to measure the impact of efforts under Swachh Bharat Mission for construction of toilets, solid waste management and service delivery level.
This report is a slap on the face of every Arunachalees, more so to the state government. Gangtok the capital of Sikkim has achieved high of 8th rank. Even though Gangtok receives massive number of visitors being a major tourist hotspot, still they have managed to keep the city clean. Whoever visits Gangtok always heaps praise about how clean the city is? Arunachal should learn something from Sikkim. Recently from 1st to 13th February whole state observed clean Arunachal campaign. Social service was organized across the state. Road and drains were cleaned. But such kind of fortnightly campaign will not succeed in keeping the state clean. A sustain campaign with long term vision should be run. Unless this is done, the aim of clean Arunachal will not succeed. Government agencies should seek active participation of the citizen. The citizens need to be educated about importance of cleanliness. More toilets should be constructed in the urban area especially in the markets. For now let us all collectively take the responsibilities for this shame. Hopefully next time Itanagar will make it to higher ranking in the cleanliness survey.