A dirty city can be uninviting and hence a huge turn-off for tourism. Imagine visiting the iconic Taj Mahal, but to reach the World Heritage Site, you pass by streets laden with foul-smelling garbage. After the experience, would you encourage others to plan a visit to Agra? Probably not! Thus, cleanliness is vital for cities to project a positive impression on tourists. In India, some cities have been successful in maintaining cleanliness and hygiene across districts and towns. These cities have been documented under Swachh Survekshan, a yearly survey conducted by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MOHUA). If you seek clean tourist destinations, take note of the following list of the top 20 cleanest cities in India.
The Swachh Survekshan survey is the largest urban cleanliness and sanitation survey in the world. This survey is being conducted by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs since 2016 under the Swachh Bharat Urban Mission. The theme of 2023’s survey was “Waste to Wealth”, focusing on fostering innovation, and encouraging citizens to participate in sustainable practices of waste management. As per reports, the Swachh Survekshan led to the selection of 54 cities out of the 4477 cities in India as the cleanest cities in the country. Indore and Surat have been awarded as the cleanest cities in India for 2023. The awards were given away by President Droupadi Murmu in New Delhi. The event was also attended by Hardeep Singh Puri, the minister of Union Housing and Urban Affairs.
1. Indore, Madhya Pradesh (India’s Cleanest City)
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Thanks to planned waste segregation, conversion and disposal, Indore is India’s cleanest city. No strewn garbage, open sewers and other unsanitary and unsightly conditions are likely to mar your view when you decide to explore this city’s tourist attractions like Rajwada Palace, Lalbagh Palace, Central Museum, Sarafa Bazaar and Chappan Dukan. Indore has bagged the title of the ‘cleanest city in India’ for 7 consecutive years now.
How to reach –
- By Air: Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport is well connected to the major cities in India and abroad.
- By Train: Get down at Indore Junction.
- By Road: Many state-run and private buses ply between Indore and the nearby cities such as Bhopal, Jaipur and New Delhi.
2. Surat, Gujarat (2nd Cleanest City in India)
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The title of the 2nd cleanest city in India is held by Surat. This commercial city known for textiles and diamonds has undergone rapid development over the years. And the Municipal Corporation has ensured that the dynamic changes included maintaining cleanliness. Surat now attracts local and international tourists to visit its popular attractions such as Ambaji Temple, Sardar Patel Museum, Dutch Garden, Dumas Beach, Swaminarayan Temple, Sarthana Nature Park and Vansda National Park.
How to reach –
- By Air: Fly to Surat International Airport
- By Train: Surat Railway station is well-connected to Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad and other cities in the country.
- By Road: A network of well-maintained roads and National Highways connect Surat to Vadodara, Ahmedabad, New Delhi and other nearby places.
- Places to Stay: Hotels in Surat, Couple Friendly Hotels in Surat, Budget Hotels in Surat
3. Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra
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Adjudged as the third-cleanest city in India, Navi Mumbai could achieve this feat by reducing, reusing and recycling waste. Hence, if you are planning a walking tour or leisure trip to a clean and lively destination in India, Navi Mumbai would be a perfect pick. The city has many natural and man-made splendours, including Karnala Bird Sanctuary, Wonders Park, Pandavkada Falls and ITC Park that you can explore on foot for a different experience.
How to reach –
- By Air: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai is around 30 km away from Navi Mumbai. You can book a cab or take the metro from there.
- By Train: Navi Mumbai has a railway station, but with limited connectivity. Hence, you can reach Mumbai Central and take a cab, bus, metro or local train from there.
- By Road: Take a public or private bus from the nearby towns and cities to reach Navi Mumbai. You can also book a cab.
- Places to Stay: Hotels in Navi Mumbai, Budget Hotels in Navi Mumbai, Couple Friendly Hotels in Navi Mumbai
4. Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh
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One of the oldest and cleanest cities in the country, Ambikapur has set an example by recycling the waste effectively and generating income from it. The city is also known as the “Temple Town of Chhattisgarh” for its famous temples that attract tourists from around the world. Apart from seeking blessings at Mahamaya Temple, Ramgarh and Sita-Bengra, you can visit Tiger Point Waterfall, Chendra Waterfall, Tattapani Hot Spring and Jogimara Caves during your trip to Ambikapur.
How to reach –
- By Air: Ambikapur Airport is suitable for small aircraft only. Birsa Munda Airport, Ranchi (302 km away) is the nearest international airport.
- By Train: Reach Ambikapur Railway Station and then take an auto or taxi.
- By Road: The city is connected to Raipur, Bhilai, Durg, Raigarh, and other nearby places by well-maintained roads.
5. Mysore, Karnataka (one of the Cleanest City in India)
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Proper segregation of household waste and planned waste management has helped Mysore secure fifth place in the list of the cleanest city in India. Popularly known as the “City of Palaces” or the “Garden City”, Mysore is a paradise for tourists. Mysore Palace, St. Philomena’s Church, Brindavan Gardens, Karanji Lake and Mysore Zoo are some attractions to explore in this clean city.
How to reach –
- By Air: Fly to Mandakalli Airport or you can also reach Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru (209 km away) for better connectivity.
- By Train: Mysore Junction connects the city to Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and other important places in the country.
- By Road: You can take a cab or bus from Bengaluru, Coimbatore, Salem and other nearby cities.
6. Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh
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Declared as a clean city in India, Vijayawada’s win is a testimony to the well-planned urban management practices. No wonder this city attracts a steady flow of tourists from near and far who come to explore places of interest like Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla, Undavalli Caves, Rajiv Gandhi Park and Prakasam Barrage.
How to reach –
- By Air: Fly to Vijayawada International Airport.
- By Train: Reach Vijayawada Junction and hire a cab or auto-rickshaw. The nearest bus stand is 2 km away.
- By Road: Take a state-run or private bus to reach Vijayawada from the nearby towns and cities. Volvo buses and taxis are popular choices.
7. Ahmedabad, Gujarat
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Known as the Manchester of India, this clean and thriving city is on the list of India’s cleanest cities due to the effective waste segregation and disposal. You can visit the architectural marvels such as Teen Darwaza and Jhulta Minar, seek blessings at Swaminarayan Temple, ISKCON Temple and Vaishno Devi Temple and spend some peaceful time at Kankaria Lake and AUDA Garden. Sabarmati Ashram, the residence of Mahatma Gandhi and Kasturba Gandhi, is a major attraction here.
How to reach –
- By Air: Reach Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport
- By Train: Get down at Ahmedabad Junction
- By Road: Ahmedabad has a well-maintained network of roads and National Highways, with regular buses plying to and from Mumbai, Pune, Surat, Bhavnagar, Shirdi and other places.
These are some good budget hotels in Ahmedabad, Hotels in Ahmedabad, Couple Friendly Hotels in Ahmedabad for those looking for a pocket-friendly stay.
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