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This article explores how the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) Urban has significantly contributed to localising the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within Indian cities. By focusing on urban sanitation, waste management, and public health, the SBM has laid a foundation for sustainable urban development, particularly aligning with Goal 6: Clean water and sanitation. This article discusses how SBM Urban is localising the Local Agenda 2030 by integrating its toolkit indicators with the SDGs. It highlights various initiatives and their impacts on cities like Indore, Surat, Navi Mumbai, Ambikapur, Bhopal, and Lucknow, illustrating the diverse approaches to achieving SDG targets.
The SBM, launched in 2014, has been a cornerstone of India’s efforts to improve urban sanitation and hygiene. Its primary objective is to eliminate open defecation and manage solid waste effectively. This initiative aligns closely with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6, which aims to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
The Swachh Bharat Mission Urban (SBM-U) has been transformative in promoting sustainable development practices across India’s urban areas. Launched in 2014 by the government of India, the mission’s primary goals include the elimination of open defecation and the scientific management of municipal solid waste. By aligning these goals with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), SBM-U has played a pivotal role in localising the Local Agenda 2030. This comprehensive approach addresses several SDGs simultaneously, particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).
The SBM-U initiative encompasses several components designed to achieve its objectives, including Jan Andolan (public participation), certification of cities based on cleanliness standards, and continuous monitoring of service level progress. These components ensure that the mission remains dynamic and responsive to the evolving needs of urban sanitation and waste management.
One of the mission’s standout features is Jan Andolan, or public participation. This approach has transformed SBM-U into a people-centric movement, with widespread citizen involvement in sanitation drives and waste management practices. In Indore, Jan Andolan has effectively mobilised communities to take ownership of their environment, fostering a culture of cleanliness that transcends government initiatives. This widespread participation has been instrumental in maintaining the momentum of SBM-U and ensuring its long-term sustainability.
City certifications based on cleanliness standards have further incentivised local governments to improve their sanitation infrastructure and service delivery. The certification process evaluates cities on various parameters, including open defecation-free (ODF) status, solid waste management, and overall cleanliness. This competitive framework has created a healthy competition among cities, driving them to continually enhance their sanitation practices and infrastructure. For instance, Indore has consistently ranked top in Swachh Survekshan, India’s annual cleanliness survey, due to its comprehensive waste management practices and public participation initiatives.
Service level progress monitoring has been another critical component of SBM-U, ensuring that urban local bodies (ULBs) maintain high standards of sanitation. This includes tracking the implementation of door-to-door waste collection, source segregation, and the establishment of waste treatment facilities. The progress is regularly reviewed, and cities are provided with feedback to address any gaps in their sanitation efforts. This continuous monitoring has ensured that cities like Gandhinagar remain accountable and committed to the mission’s goals.
The mission has also placed significant emphasis on the scientific processing and disposal of waste. This involves the establishment of facilities for composting, recycling, and converting waste to energy. For example, Surat has excelled in service level progress adherence, revenue generation from wastewater reuse, and beautification projects like biodiversity parks. These facilities not only manage waste effectively but also generate economic benefits by creating employment opportunities and producing valuable resources, such as compost and energy.
Sanitation worker safety has been a crucial focus area under SBM-U. The mission has introduced initiatives like the Safaimitra Suraksha challenge, which promotes mechanisation and safety in sanitation work. These initiatives aim to eliminate hazardous manual scavenging and ensure safe working conditions for sanitation workers. By providing workers with protective gear and mechanised equipment, SBM-U has significantly improved their safety and dignity.
The mission’s impact on sustainable urban development is evident in several cities across India. Navi Mumbai, for instance, has implemented innovative waste management practices, including a dry waste bank in schools and renewable energy initiatives, such as e-charging stations and solar power systems. These initiatives have not only enhanced the city’s waste management capabilities but also promoted sustainable energy use and environmental conservation.
Ambikapur’s decentralised waste management system and community engagement campaigns have set a benchmark for other cities. The city’s waste management model involves segregating waste at source, composting organic waste, and recycling inorganic waste. This approach has significantly reduced the amount of waste sent to landfills and has created economic opportunities for the local community.
The integration of technology has also been a critical success factor for SBM-U. For example, Bhopal has used GIS mapping for route optimisation in waste collection, ensuring efficient and timely collection of waste. The city has also partnered with private enterprises to set up advanced waste processing facilities, which have enhanced its capacity to manage waste scientifically.
Lucknow’s comprehensive waste management system and community engagement programmes have significantly improved the city’s cleanliness and public health standards. The city has implemented door-to-door waste collection, source segregation, and the establishment of waste processing facilities. Community engagement initiatives, such as awareness campaigns and educational programmes, have further strengthened the city’s sanitation efforts.
One of the notable achievements of the SBM-U is the remediation of legacy waste sites. These sites, often referred to as dumpsites, have accumulated waste over several decades and pose significant environmental and health hazards. Under SBM-U, cities have undertaken the remediation of these sites by converting them into green zones or scientifically capping them to prevent further pollution. Indore has transformed its legacy waste site worth more than INR 300 crores into a 100-acre city forest and reclaimed 35 acres of land for setting up various waste management facilities under the PPP mode. This initiative has not only reclaimed valuable land but also reduced the environmental impact of legacy waste.
In terms of economic impact, the SBM-U has also focused on improving working conditions for sanitation workers through initiatives like the Safaimitra Suraksha challenge, which promotes mechanisation and safety in sanitation work. Furthermore, the mission has encouraged entrepreneurship and innovation in waste management by supporting start-ups and local businesses that develop sustainable waste processing technologies. These efforts have created new economic opportunities and contributed to the overall economic development of urban areas.
The mission’s comprehensive approach, which includes public participation, stringent monitoring, and the promotion of sustainable waste management practices, has set new benchmarks in urban sanitation. By aligning with multiple SDGs, the SBM-U not only enhances urban sustainability but also improves the quality of life for millions of urban residents. The mission’s success stories from cities like Indore, Surat, Gandhinagar, Navi Mumbai, Ambikapur, Bhopal, and Lucknow serve as inspiring examples of how collaborative efforts can lead to significant improvements in urban sanitation and sustainability.
| SDG | Components and indicators |
| SDG 1: No poverty |
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| SDG 3: Good health and well-being |
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| SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation |
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| SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth |
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| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities |
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| SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production |
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| Indore | A model of urban sanitation excellence |
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| Surat | Focusing on beautification and resource utilisation |
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| Navi Mumbai | Innovations in waste management |
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| Ambikapur | Community-driven sanitation |
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| Bhopal | Integrating technology and innovation |
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| Lucknow | Enhancing urban cleanliness |
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