From runner-up to winner: Amravati tops in Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2025

 

 

Amravati secures 200 marks out of 200 in 3-10 lakh population category  

 

Amravati city achieved a remarkable feat by securing top position in Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2025 contest conducted by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change recently. In 2024, Amravati stood second in the list and this year, it achieved the top position by toppling Firozabad city of Uttar Pradesh. Whereas, Moradabad of Uttar Pradesh is second in the list. The awards were declared on Tuesday in presence of the Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav.

 

Amravati city scored 200 marks out of 200 in the 3 to 10 lakh population category and bagged a cash award of Rs 75 lakh for this achievement. Swachh Vayu Sarveshan 2025 was conducted in 130 cities under National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) of Central Government. Amravati improved road infrastructure including 340 km end-to-end pavement and carried out extensive greening in 53 gardens, and converted 19 acres of barren land into dense forest. With full marks, Amravati is a national leader in clean air initiatives in the category of 3-10 lakh population. The award was presented by Bhupender Yadav, at a ceremony held at the Ganga Auditorium, Indira Paryavaran Bhavan, New Delhi on Tuesday. The award, comprising cash prize and a certificate of appreciation, was received by Saumya Sharma (Chandak), Amravati Municipal Commissioner.

 

The Swachh Vayu Survekshan recognises cities making exemplary efforts to maintain and improve air quality. The awards were announced by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, based on data collected by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The survey evaluates cities across several parameters including air quality, citizen participation, sustainable initiatives and administrative effectiveness. Amravati achieved this recognition through a series of impactful initiatives such as plantation drives at public places, road dust control measures, promotion of eco-friendly transportation options and strict pollution control measures in industrial areas. Saumya Sharma (Chandak) described the award as a matter of pride for the entire city and adding to that credited the achievement to not just to the municipal corporation but to every citizen of Amravati.

 

She acknowledged the contributions of sanitation workers, engineers, environmental experts and the public in achieving this milestone. She added, “This award is a source of motivation and reinforces our commitment to implementing stronger eco-friendly policies in the future. We are dedicated to making Amravati a model ‘Green and Clean City’ in India,”. Amravati has shown consistent progress in the Swachh Vayu Survekshan over the past few years ranking third in 2023, second in 2024 and now first in 2025. The achievement has been widely celebrated across the city and AMC has been receiving shower of wishes for the achievement. As part of the evaluation process, the municipal corporation was asked to submit self-assessment reports, which were then verified by CPCB. The awards were presented based on the findings of this independent assessment.

 

 

Nagpur city, which is also a part of NCAP list of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), improved its position in Swachh Vayu Sarveshan 2025 ranking this year. Nagpur got 10th rank in above 10 lakh population category this year. Last year, the city was 15th in the list. Nagpur city shared the rank with Pune and Ahmedabad as all the three cities got 10th rank this year. All the three cities scored 185 marks out of 200. Since 2018, the Central Government released Rs 142.05 crore fund under NCAP for Nagpur city in which Rs 91.64 crore fund were utilised so far. For improvement in the ranking, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) conducted various awareness drives, developed green patches at major junctions, encouraged e-buses for public transport etc which helped to score good marks.