Sri Vijaya Puram, Sept. 18: The Andaman and Nicobar Administration on September 17 launched Swachhata Hi Seva 2026 with Lt. Governor Dr Dinesh Sharma calling for collective action on cleanliness while outlining development priorities ranging from water supply and healthcare to affordable air connectivity, roads, employment and higher education.
Dr Sharma launched the campaign at the Government Girls Senior Secondary School auditorium by lighting the traditional lamp. Member of Parliament Bishnu Pada Ray, Chief Secretary Gyanesh Bharti, Chairperson of Sri Vijaya Puram Municipal Corporation M. Vasantha, Pramukh of Panchayat Samiti, Sri Vijaya Puram, Champa Das, senior administration officials, students and others attended the programme.
This year’s campaign carries the theme “Swachhata Mein Sahbhag, Swachh Bharat, Viksit Bharat”, highlighting collective participation and shared responsibility in advancing cleanliness and development.
Addressing the gathering, Sharma called for coordinated efforts to build “Shreshtha Andaman” as part of the broader vision of “Shreshtha Bharat”. He linked the cleanliness drive with public health and sustainable development, recalling Mahatma Gandhi’s emphasis on cleanliness and the benefits demonstrated through the Swachh Bharat Mission.
He also set out several areas requiring attention across the Islands. These include addressing water shortages, ensuring reliable electricity, improving transportation infrastructure and making air travel more affordable. He called for better facilities and livelihood opportunities for local fishermen and improved healthcare, including advanced treatment for serious ailments such as heart disease and cancer.
On infrastructure, Sharma said roads should be completed on time and built to high standards. He also called for transparent and honest functioning to strengthen public confidence in elected representatives, officials and institutions, identifying a corruption-free Administration as an important commitment.
He stressed the need to expand higher-education opportunities so students can pursue quality courses and research without leaving the Islands. He also called for adequate employment opportunities, priority for local residents in employment, and fairness and stability in employment, land allotment and infrastructure development.
Addressing water scarcity, Sharma referred to areas where residents receive water only once in several days. While saying an immediate solution could not be assured, he said sustained and sincere efforts would be made to address the problem.
The Lt. Governor said he had reviewed the functioning of various administrative departments and identified areas for improvement. He said the Administration would seek assistance from Central Ministries for development needs, including hospital equipment through the Ministry of Health, affordable transportation through the Ministries of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and Civil Aviation, modern boats and cold-storage facilities for fishermen through the Ministry of Fisheries, and hydropower and renewable-energy projects through the Ministry of Power.
Sharma also called for infrastructure standards comparable with those seen in Thailand and Singapore. He urged officers, employees and citizens to work as one team without barriers based on caste, region or community, with service to the nation as the common guiding principle.
Ahead of World Tourism Day on September 27, he urged communities to maintain cleanliness at tourist destinations. He also called for participation in tree plantation under “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” on October 2 and urged citizens not to litter or allow others to do so.
The campaign will also emphasise practical cleanliness education in schools, including waste segregation, reduction, reuse, recycling and composting. As part of the awareness programme, Sharma flagged off a student visit to solid waste processing centres to provide first-hand exposure to scientific waste-management practices.
He administered the Swachhata Pledge and planted a fruit-bearing sapling on the school premises. Bishnu Pada Ray and other dignitaries also joined the plantation drive. The Lt. Governor subsequently participated in the Swachhata Shramdaan with the MP and other dignitaries.
Ray recalled the launch of the Swachhata Abhiyan by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said sustained efforts and public participation had reduced the use of plastic carry bags in the Islands. He recalled their earlier widespread use for purchasing fish, vegetables and other essentials, followed by disposal along roads and into drains.
The campaign will continue until October 17, with key focus areas including transforming cleanliness target units and high-footfall public places, increasing youth participation, promoting a circular economy and advancing “Swachhata Se Samriddhi” through the Waste-to-Wealth initiative.
Vishwakarma Jayanti programmes were also held at Lok Niwas and Chatham Saw Mill. Sharma performed the traditional puja at Lok Niwas with senior officers and staff before participating in the celebrations at Chatham Saw Mill. He said the occasion symbolises a collective resolve to ensure that construction and development works in the Islands are completed smoothly, remain durable and meet good-quality standards.
He paid tribute to freedom fighters associated with the Cellular Jail, describing the Islands as a sacred land and pilgrimage site of martyrs, and reiterated the collective objective of building “Shreshtha Andaman” as part of “Shreshtha Bharat”.
