Sat Jan 18 15:26:56 UTC 2025: ## Visakhapatnam Launches Monthly Cleanliness Initiative
**VISAKHAPATNAM, January 18, 2025** – Visakhapatnam launched “Swachh Andhra – Swachh Diwas,” a city-wide cleanliness program, on Saturday. The initiative, spearheaded by Mayor G. Hari Venkata Kumari, will take place on the third Saturday of each month, focusing on cleaning parks and public spaces across the city’s 98 wards.
The program’s January theme, “Nuthana Samvatsaram, Subharambham” (New Year, Auspicious Beginning), included jungle clearance, public toilet cleaning, and awareness campaigns on waste segregation. District Collector M.N. Harendhira Prasad announced a competition among the wards, with the winner receiving an additional ₹5 lakh for development projects. GVMC Commissioner P. Sampath Kumar reiterated the ongoing ban on single-use plastics.
The launch event at Sivaji Park included a sapling planting program and the inauguration of a selfie point. Similar cleanliness drives were conducted by VMRDA officials at the VMRDA Central Park, emphasizing the importance of maintaining clean public areas. Government employees across the city participated, taking a pledge to uphold cleanliness standards. The Mayor urged citizens to support the initiative by avoiding single-use plastics and embracing activities like terrace gardening.
First Piper 