SRINAGAR: Shopian secured the third position in the Clean Himalayan City category, while Budgam received the Swachh City Award in the Union Territory category at the Swachh Survekshan Awards 2025–26, presented in New Delhi on Wednesday.
President Droupadi Murmu presented the awards at a ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan. Deputy Commissioner Shopian Charandeep Singh received the award on behalf of Shopian town, while the Budgam award was received by Deputy Commissioner Jatin Kishore and Chief Executive Officer, Municipal Council Budgam, Oruja Mohi-ud-Din.
Officials attributed Shopian’s ranking to the efforts of the district administration, municipal staff, sanitation workers and residents, particularly in waste collection, public awareness and cleanliness drives. The administration also acknowledged the guidance of Commissioner Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department, Mandeep Kaur.
In Budgam, the recognition acknowledged initiatives in sanitation, door-to-door waste collection, source segregation, solid waste management and public participation.
The Budgam administration credited the Municipal Council, Directorate of Urban Local Bodies Kashmir, Housing and Urban Development Department and district administration, along with residents, for the achievement.
Both administrations dedicated the awards to sanitation workers, municipal employees and residents, and said efforts would continue to improve cleanliness standards and strengthen waste management practices.
