NEW DELHI: The central ministry of urban development has commissioned a survey on the situation of sanitation in 75 major cities including 53 that have a population of over 10 lakh each.Since the start of the Swachh Bharat Mission in October 2014, this is the first time the government has launched such a survey. The parameters of the survey have been aligned with the objectives of the Swachh Bharat Mission with more focus on solid waste management which is adversely impacting cleanliness in urban areas.The proposed survey and subsequent ratings to be completed in January 2016 is aimed at fostering a spirit of competition among major cities and state capitals in 29 states and Chandigarh to ensure sanitation in urban areas.In this survey for rating of 75 major cities that account for over 50% of the country’s total urban population, solid waste management is being given 60% weightage followed by 15% each for availability and use of household individual toilets and public and community toilets besides 5% each for city level sanitation plans and information, education and behaviour change communication (IEBC) activities. Under the Swachh Bharat Mission, about Rs 37,000 crore of the project cost of Rs 62,009 crore is to be spent on solid waste management.In the last survey for ranking of 476 cities with a population of above one lakh each before the launch of the mission, solid waste management had a weightage of only 13%.Swachh Bharat Mission is aimed at ensuring door-to-door collection, transportation and scientific disposal of municipal solid waste in all the 83,000 wards in urban areas by 2019 besides construction of one crore household individual toilets and over five lakh public and community toilet seats.The survey agencies will collect necessary data from urban local bodies besides through direct observation and citizen feedback through questionnaires. A minimum of 15 respondents have to be reached out in each ward for feedback.