Zillar Barta Desk : Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) organised a special cleanliness drive under the ‘Swachhata Se Swagat’ initiative at several important public locations across the city, including Rabindra Sarobar, Subhas Sarobar, Howrah Eco Park and the premises of Unnayan Bhawan.
The cleanliness campaign focused on improving public spaces and encouraging greater civic participation in keeping the city clean. The initiative comes as cleanliness and public participation remain key components of the nationwide Swachhata Hi Seva 2026 campaign, whose theme this year is “Swachhata Mein Sahbhag; Swachh Bharat, Viksit Bharat.”
West Bengal’s Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Minister Agnimitra Paul was associated with the cleanliness initiative. The programme highlighted the importance of maintaining parks, public spaces and government premises while encouraging citizens to take greater responsibility for their surroundings.
Rabindra Sarobar and Subhas Sarobar are among Kolkata’s prominent urban green spaces and are used daily by thousands of residents for walking, exercise and recreational activities. KMDA is responsible for the management of Rabindra Sarobar, while civic and maintenance responsibilities also involve coordination with other government agencies.
The cleanliness initiative at Subhas Sarobar is particularly significant as the park has previously faced complaints from visitors regarding garbage, damaged facilities and maintenance issues. During a visit to the park in July, Minister Agnimitra Paul had interacted with morning walkers and heard their concerns about cleanliness, toilets, broken gym equipment and other facilities.
KMDA has also undertaken work related to cleanliness and infrastructure at Subhas Sarobar. A recent tender included jungle clearance and removal of garbage and rubbish, along with construction of a boundary wall at a damaged section of the premises.
At Rabindra Sarobar, regular cleaning and maintenance are particularly important because of the lake's ecological significance and its status as a major public recreational space. KMDA documents have included sweeping and cleaning of roads, walkways, seating areas and water bodies within the Sarobar premises as part of maintenance activities.
The ‘Swachhata Se Swagat’ message also seeks to connect local cleanliness efforts with the larger national movement for sanitation and civic participation. The 2026 Swachhata Hi Seva campaign calls for participation from government departments, urban local bodies, institutions, students, youth and citizens, with special emphasis on cleaning public places and encouraging sustainable cleanliness practices.
The drive across Rabindra Sarobar, Subhas Sarobar, Howrah Eco Park and Unnayan Bhawan therefore served as both a practical cleanliness initiative and a public-awareness effort.
The broader message from the campaign is clear: maintaining a clean city cannot depend solely on government agencies. Public participation, responsible waste disposal and regular maintenance are essential for keeping Kolkata's parks, lakes, offices and other shared spaces clean.
‘Swachhata Se Swagat’ thus became a call for collective responsibility, with the KMDA-led initiative bringing cleanliness activities directly to some of the city's prominent public spaces.
