Bengal govt launches Swacch app to better cleanliness in towns

Kolkata: The geo-tagged mobile application for cleanliness in municipal areas, Swacch App, was launched by Union minister for power, housing and urban affairs, Manohar Lal Khattar, and chief minister Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday.

The CM said that, as a beginning, the app is being launched for 10 municipalities across Bengal.. These are Asansol municipal corporation, Durgapur municipal corporation, Baidyabati, Basirhat, Contai, Nalhati, Krishnanagar, Madhyamgram Tufangunge and Pujali civic bodies. “We will introduce this initiative in 120 urban local bodies across Bengal,” the CM said.

Khattar, said urban development has several verticals, Swachh Bharat Mission being one of those. “There are over 5000 cities in India. We have taken an oath to dispose and clean all legacy waste dumpsites across the country within a year,” the minister said.

State municipal affairs minister Agnimitra Paul said that the govt is committed to work alongside citizens to create a cleaner and greener Bengal. She said the app was being envisioned as an effective bridge between citizens and civic authorities, ensuring faster grievance redressal, more accountability and improved delivery of services. “The launch of ‘Swachha App’ is a step towards a greener and cleaner Bengal and shows that the Centre and state govt will work in tandem in this endeavour,” Paul said.

A presentation demonstrated as to how ‘Swaccha App’ would work. “Citizens will be able to click a snap of accumulated waste and put it on the app. The location will be immediately sent to municipal teams for reaching the area that need clean upin about 2 hours,” officials said.

The state govt is also launching a pilot project in Asansol-Durgapur, focusing on scientific waste management and proper garbage disposal, besides sanitation, hygiene awareness and cleaner surroundings.