Rajkot: Rajkot has been selected among 50 cities across India under the Centre’s PRAGATI-50 initiative, which aims to develop model cities in cleanliness and sanitation.The initiative was launched in New Delhi on Tuesday by union housing and urban affairs minister Manohar Lal. It covers 50 cities across 24 states and union territories, with a focus on strengthening cleanliness systems through direct guidance from the Centre and technology-based monitoring.According to a statement issued by the Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC), the city will be developed as a model city for sanitation. The programme will focus on improving waste collection, transportation and scientific processing, along with source segregation, recycling, resource recovery and waste-to-wealth initiatives.The civic body will also work on better management, treatment and reuse of wastewater. Enhanced monitoring of cleanliness on main roads, public spaces, markets, residential areas, schools and other locations will be undertaken.Other focus areas include strengthening sanitation facilities, promoting a circular economy, using digital technology for daily monitoring and ensuring faster corrective action wherever required. The initiative also envisages greater participation from citizens through awareness and community-based activities.The performance of the selected cities will be assessed not merely on the basis of work undertaken, but on visible and measurable outcomes. Their progress will be reviewed regularly through prescribed cleanliness indicators, technology-based supervision and assessments at the central level.RMC officials said the initiative would help make the city’s sanitation system more modern, scientific, technology-driven and outcome-oriented.
