Bhubaneswar: Bhubaneswar on Wednesday emerged as the fifth cleanest city in India, among cities with a population of over 10 lakh, in Swachh Survekshan 2025-2026, marking a significant improvement from its ninth position last year. It, however, was a remarkable leap from its national ranking of 84 in 2024.Mayor Sulochana Das, who received the award in New Delhi, said the city has made considerable progress in improving cleanliness standards.“We have improved our overall strength to ensure cleanliness in the city while also addressing the welfare and safety measures of sanitation workers. From taking dust-suppressing measures by converting open spaces into beautiful landscapes to introducing mechanised sweeping, we have laid considerable emphasis on sanitation,” Das said.A city is considered garbage-free when all municipal solid waste generated daily is segregated at the source and processed scientifically without being dumped in open yards. Civic officials said Bhubaneswar has made significant strides towards achieving this objective over the past two years.Municipal commissioner Chanchal Rana said the corporation has been focusing on comprehensive waste management by ensuring segregation at the source and eliminating open dumping practices.“In the last two years, we have been ensuring that no waste remains unsegregated at the source and that there is no open dumping. We are trying to treat different varieties of waste, ranging from food to puja materials, in different ways,” Rana said.Officials said the improved ranking reflects the BMC’s sustained efforts to strengthen sanitation infrastructure, improve waste management practices and better welfare measures for sanitation workers.The city’s sanitation strategy has gained momentum with the implementation of the new Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, which classify waste into four categories: wet, dry, sanitary and special hazardous.To ensure compliance with the new regulations, BMC corporators conducted extensive awareness campaigns and demonstrations across wards. Officials said a week-long sensitisation programme was organised to educate residents on proper waste segregation practices and the importance of scientific waste disposal.