The BMC has given itself just three out of a possible seven stars on a self-assessment of the city’s cleanliness—a requirement for the forthcoming Swachh Survekshan, according to a senior official. The selfrating is based on parameters including door-to-door garbage collection, waste segregation, presence of litter bins, user charges, grievance redressal, and cleanliness of water bodies. This assessment gets 25% weightage in the overall survey, which is carried out by the Centre (see graphic).

 

In 2017, the city slipped 19 places to rank nationally at 29 in Swachh Survekshan. In 2018, Mumbai did better by 10 places and was also declared to be the cleanest state capital—a declaration that was called into question by activists and experts; in comparison, Navi Mumbai was ranked 9 and Pune 10.

A BMC official said preparations are on in full swing as the survey is set to be held next month. “The survey this year will carry a total of 5,000 marks as compared to 4,000 marks in Swachh Survekshan 2018. We have already begun chalking out the marks the city may score as per our current situation and where is it that we need to improve ourselves for better marking. This year, with the plastic ban having started across the state, including Mumbai, and also with an emphasis on segregation, we hope to score better. We have also started the process for the scientific closure of the Mulund dumping ground and are therefore hoping that we are able to score there as well,” the official said.