Chhattisgarh is poised to experience a significant upgrade in its infrastructure and urban amenities, marked by the Swachhta Sangam-2025, which will be held in Bilaspur on August 12, 2025. The event, presided over by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, will recognize the contributions of sanitation workers, also known as ‘Swachhta Didis,’ for their role in bringing national recognition to the state. In addition, urban bodies that have demonstrated outstanding performance in the Swachh Survekshan 2024-25 will also be honored.
The Swachhta Sangam is expected to draw the participation of key officials from the urban administration sector, including mayors, chairpersons, members of health departments, heads of municipalities and town councils, municipal commissioners, chief municipal officers, senior engineers from various urban bodies, and nodal officers associated with the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban). Approximately nine thousand sanitation workers are anticipated to attend.
A core objective of the Swachhta Sangam is to promote cleaner and more attractive urban environments. Dr. Basavaraju S., Secretary of the Urban Administration and Development Department, underscored the importance of acknowledging the efforts of sanitation workers in achieving cleanliness and beautification goals. The event will also celebrate the successes of seven urban bodies that excelled in the Swachh Survekshan 2024-25, along with over 30 other urban bodies that achieved top divisional rankings.
To foster advancements in urban sanitation and beautification, the Swachhta Sangam will host a state-level competition. This competition will aim to reinforce urban cleanliness initiatives, enhance administrative effectiveness through good governance, and stimulate urban beautification projects. The competition is designed to enhance the quality of life for citizens and to inspire leaders, officials, and community members to collectively improve sanitation and urban beautification efforts.
Furthermore, the launch of a GIS-based Property Tax Live Portal will facilitate online property tax payments across three municipal corporations—Birgaon, Bhilai-Charoda, and Dhamtari—and 43 municipalities. This initiative represents a significant move towards modernizing local self-governance, allowing residents to access services from their homes, thereby improving the efficiency of tax collection.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai will officiate the inauguration and groundbreaking ceremonies for various development projects with a combined value exceeding ₹260 crores. These include the inauguration of 24 construction and development projects in the Bilaspur district, totaling over ₹63.57 crores, and the laying of foundation stones for 25 additional projects, valued at over ₹197 crores. Additionally, beneficiaries of various schemes will receive essential materials and checks.
The projects scheduled for inauguration encompass a commercial complex in Nutan Chowk, Bilaspur (₹3.85 crores), an STP in Koni (₹9.05 crores), a girls’ hostel at the Government Engineering College (₹4.82 crores), a 3.6 km road connecting Ngoi Basti to Modhe Naka (₹6.29 crores), the widening, strengthening, and asphalting of the 7 km Usalapur-Daija road (₹12.53 crores), and a 3.5 km two-lane road from Mangla Bhainsajhar to Deendayal Colony Lokhandi railway crossing (₹5.45 crores). The Nal-Jal Yojana will also be launched across 11 villages under the Jal Jeevan Mission.
The foundation stones will be laid for projects, including the Nalanda complex and academic block under the Education Hub at Dayalband (₹26.42 crores), the Gaurav Path connecting Ashok Nagar Chowk to Birkora Mod under the Chief Minister’s Urban Upliftment Scheme (₹17 crores), the Atal Path construction from Arpa Indrasetu to Ram Setu (₹9.74 crores), and the Mangla Chowk to Azad Chowk road construction (₹5.09 crores).
Moreover, the event will witness the laying of foundation stones for a high-level bridge on the Arpa River on the Shanichari-Chantidih road (₹11.56 crores), a bridge over the Maniyari River between Takhatpur and Barela (₹3.76 crores), and upgrades to water supply systems in Bahatarai, Rajkishore Nagar, Lingiyadih, Devrikhurd, and Sirgitti (₹9.90 crores). The project lineup also includes the Butena-Dhaurabhata road strengthening project (12.6 km, ₹34.16 crores), an English medium Adarsh College building (₹10 crores), and the construction of an auditorium in Bilaspur (₹22.22 crores).
Finally, the agenda features the construction of an anicut in Vijaypur (₹6.81 crores) and a 2.5 km road, including a culvert on the Sarar Nala between Son and Sonsari Sabaridera in Bilaspur district (₹7.96 crores), alongside various other projects undertaken by the Municipal Corporation, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, Public Works Department, Rural Engineering Service, and Panchayat and Rural Development Department.