Sanitation standards in many cities was much worse when compared to Hyderabad.

HYDERABAD: The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) was awarded Swachhta Excellence Award by the Union ministry of housing and urban affairs. Among metro cities with a population of over 10 lakh, Hyderabad was the only city which bagged the award.

Engaging community-based organisations like women self-help groups (SHGs) to spread awareness about solid waste management works, including capping of Jawahar Nagar landfill site and replacing tricycles with 2,500 Swachh auto tippers are some of the steps which helped the city bag the award.

According to environmentalists and civic activists, sanitation standards in many cities was much worse when compared to Hyderabad. “The city bagging the award reflects the pathetic sanitation standards in other cities. Yet, sanitation in the city needs to be improved and capping of dumpyard should be done scientifically as per the solid waste management rules,” said environmentalist K Purushottam Reddy .

