₹90,000 Cr on Swachh Bharat, But India Still Struggles With Cleanliness

Launched in 2014 with an ambitious budget of ₹90,000 crores, the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) aimed to transform India into a cleaner and healthier nation, inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of sanitation and hygiene. The campaign, strongly promoted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, began with a nationwide call to action, notably symbolized by the "Swachhata Hi Seva" initiative held from September 15 to October 2, 2023.

The mission set high targets, including the elimination of open defecation and the scientific management of municipal solid waste in both urban and rural areas. Major milestones included the construction of millions of household toilets and mass public awareness campaigns like "My Clean India." Initially, the initiative received widespread support. The Prime Minister led by example, participating in cleanliness drives, including one near the River Ganga in Varanasi, showcasing a national effort toward a “Swachh Bharat.”

However, ten years later, the situation on the ground raises questions about the mission’s effectiveness and the utilization of the massive funds. Social media posts and citizen reports from cities such as Delhi, Chapra, Meerut, and Gurgaon reveal poor sanitation, littered streets, clogged drains, and pothole-filled roads—conditions far from the clean and organized image one might expect from a country that spent ₹90,000 crores on cleanliness.

This gap between the campaign’s polished promotional imagery and the actual condition of many cities has sparked debate over mismanagement and possible corruption. Critics highlight issues like bureaucratic inefficiency and substandard implementation as potential reasons for the disappointing results.

While the mission has made progress—for instance, constructing over 59 lakh individual household toilets by 2020 and driving city-level improvements through Swachh Survekshan rankings—its overall impact remains inconsistent. Many wonder if the mission’s lofty promises have been truly fulfilled, especially when major urban areas still grapple with basic cleanliness and sanitation challenges.