MoHUA launches Swachh Shehar Jodi to improve urban cleanliness across India

New Delhi/Sonipat (The Uttam Hindu): The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has launched a major urban waste management mentorship program called Swachh Shehar Jodi (SSJ). The initiative pairs 72 top-performing “mentor” cities with around 200 low-performing “mentee” cities to share knowledge, experience and best practices in cleanliness and waste management.

The program was launched in Sonipat by Union Minister Shri Manohar Lal in the presence of Ministers of State, Chief Ministers, Mayors, Commissioners and the Secretary of MoHUA, Shri S. Katikithala. At the national event, nearly 300 MoUs were signed simultaneously between mentor and mentee cities.

Under SSJ, mentor cities identified through the Swachh Survekshan rankings will guide mentee cities to improve sanitation outcomes. The initiative includes a 100-day program, where paired cities will develop action plans with clear milestones. MoHUA will provide strategic and policy support throughout the process.

Speaking at the launch, Union Minister Shri Manohar Lal said, “No city will be left behind. SSJ is time-bound, outcome-driven and one of the largest structured mentorship programs in urban waste management.”

Secretary MoHUA, Shri S. Katikithala, added, “This platform will help mentee cities improve by learning directly from the best-performing cities. Knowledge sharing and mentoring are at the heart of this initiative.”

The program aims to transform urban sanitation across India and its impact will be assessed in Swachh Survekshan 2026.