The Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) has launched a city-wide cleanliness and environmental campaign ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Vadodara on September 8, with thousands of citizens, sanitation workers, officials, elected representatives, educational institutions and NGOs participating in the drive. Modi is scheduled to inaugurate and lay foundation stones for development projects worth Rs. 35,200 crore in Gujarat and address the ‘NaMo 4 Viksit Bharat’ event in Vadodara.
Conducted from September 1 to 4 under the Gujarat government’s ‘Swachhata Se Swagat’ initiative, the campaign covered public spaces, lakes, gardens, healthcare and childcare facilities, heritage sites and water bodies. On September 1, more than 16,000 citizens joined a drive at Kamlanagar Lake, while 24,000 participated across 19 wards. Around 300 machines and vehicles were deployed. The September 2 drive covered 30 Anganwadi Centres and 101 UPHCs, drawing around 3,000 and nearly 24,000 participants respectively, with around 2,400 saplings planted or distributed.
On September 3, around 1,200 people cleaned Karodiya Stepwell, while over 25,000 participated across 19 wards. More than 2,400 saplings were planted or distributed. On September 4, around 1,200 people participated at Gotri Lake and Garden and Kamlanagar Lake and Garden, while 12,000 joined the Kavad Yatra route drive. Another 25,000 participated across 19 wards, covering around 140 km and deploying 380 machines and vehicles. Around 2,700 saplings were planted and distributed.