JAMMU: The Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) on Thursday launched the ‘Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2026’ campaign at Padma Shri Padma Sachdev Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar, setting the stage for a fortnight of intensified cleanliness drives, public participation and awareness activities across the city.
Being organised under the national theme “Swachhata Mein Sahbhag, Swachh Bharat, Viksit Bharat” and the local call to action “Collective Action for Visible Impact,” the campaign will continue until October 2, Swachh Bharat Diwas, with emphasis on community participation, behavioural change and visible improvement of public spaces.
The campaign was inaugurated by JMC Commissioner Dr. Devansh Yadav through the ceremonial lighting of the lamp in the presence of Prof. (Dr.) Kulvinder Kour, Principal, PSPS GCW, Joint Commissioner (Health & Sanitation), Health Officer, senior sanitation officers, faculty members and a large gathering of students.
The inaugural programme featured awareness, technical and cultural activities aimed at sensitising young citizens about urban cleanliness and civic responsibility. A documentary highlighting JMC’s solid waste management initiatives and field operations across Jammu was screened, followed by a technical presentation on key provisions of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, with particular emphasis on four-way source segregation at household and institutional levels.
Students also presented a Nukkad Natak highlighting behavioural change, responsible waste disposal and the importance of litter-free surroundings. A thematic dance performance focusing on ecological harmony and civic responsibility was another attraction of the programme.
A major highlight was the unveiling of the Swachhata Hi Seva 2026 Activity Calendar by Dr. Devansh Yadav. The calendar outlines a series of targeted interventions and citizen-centric activities to be undertaken across Jammu during the fortnight.
Under the campaign, JMC will focus on the transformation and beautification of identified Cleanliness Target Units (CTUs) and Garbage Vulnerable Points (GVPs). The programme will also feature cleanliness drives at public places, Sports for Swachhata activities incorporating zero-waste practices, post-event clean-up drives, dedicated SafaiMitra Suraksha Camps and special sanitation initiatives at heritage and pilgrimage sites in connection with World Tourism Day on September 27.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Devansh Yadav appreciated the college administration and students for their enthusiastic participation and stressed that sustainable improvements in urban cleanliness require collective responsibility, behavioural change and sustained public participation.
He called upon citizens, particularly the youth, to become active partners in JMC’s cleanliness initiatives by adopting responsible waste-management practices, ensuring proper source segregation and refraining from littering. He urged students to become “Ambassadors of Cleanliness”, take ownership of their surroundings and inspire others to follow responsible civic practices.
The programme concluded with officers, faculty members and students taking the Swachhata Pledge, reaffirming their commitment to building a clean, green and garbage-free Jammu.
