Shillong, Oct 2 (PTI): A mass cleanliness drive was undertaken in Meghalaya on Friday, bringing together students, communities, government departments and other stakeholders.
Organised by the Directorate of Urban Affairs through the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban), the cleanliness drive was held from Nongpoh to Sohra under the theme “Ek Din, Ek Saath, Ek Ghanta” as part of the nationwide Swachhata Hi Seva 2026 campaign.
Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar said the initiative sought to bring about a change in the state’s cleanliness and civic environment through collective participation and a shift in public mindset.
“No one can do it, but everyone can do it,” Dhar said, stressing that cleanliness could not be achieved by the government alone and required the participation of all sections of society.
He said the Swachh Bharat Mission was not merely a cleanliness programme but a people’s movement aimed at fostering civic responsibility.
The government was seeking greater convergence among urban and rural departments, local communities, youth, women, schools and other stakeholders to strengthen cleanliness efforts, particularly in Shillong, he said.
Dhar said cleanliness needed to become a habit, with people taking ownership of their streets, villages, towns and cities instead of viewing it solely as a government responsibility.
“This is our road, this is our village, this is our city, this is our state,” he said, calling for a stronger sense of civic ownership.
He also highlighted efforts to strengthen solid waste management infrastructure, saying landfill facilities were being considered or identified in places including Jowai, Tura and Nongpoh. The government was also exploring convergence with rural development schemes to support waste-management infrastructure in larger villages and provide designated systems for garbage collection and disposal, Dhar said. He sought greater public cooperation in setting up such facilities, saying opposition sometimes stemmed from misconceptions about them. The deputy chief minister said cleanliness efforts would also be strengthened in schools through greater engagement with principals, headmen and communities to promote proper waste collection and disposal practices.
Referring to Meghalaya’s growing profile as a tourist destination, Dhar said maintaining its natural and civic environment was important to sustain its appeal among visitors. He said the campaign was aimed not just at cleaning public spaces but at bringing about lasting behavioural change and making community participation in cleanliness a regular practice.
Dhar also flagged off 24 vehicles, including 18 small vehicles and six trucks, for the cleanliness drive.
