Union Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, Shri Manohar Lal, chaired a Consultative Committee Meeting of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) on 27th March 2025 to review the progress and future roadmap of Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban 2.0 (SBM-U 2.0). Key Attendees & Discussions The meeting was attended by: Minister of State for Housing & Urban Affairs, Shri Tokhan Sahu MoHUA Secretary, Shri Srinivas Kathikala Senior ministry officials and Members of Parliament (Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha) Joint Secretary (SBM), Ms. Roopa Mishra, who delivered a presentation on the mission’s achievements and future strategies. Minister’s Address: Transformative Impact of SBM-U In his opening remarks, Shri Manohar Lal applauded the transformative impact of SBM-U, emphasising that cleanliness is not a one-time effort but a continuous process requiring sustained innovation and public participation. He highlighted the mission’s tangible outcomes, including: Improved public health indicators – Reduction in child mortality rates. Enhanced sanitation access for women. Behavioural change as a key driver of sustainable sanitation goals. Future-ready urban sanitation infrastructure. Encouraging Global Best Practices & Healthy Competition The Minister called for the adoption of global best practices in urban sanitation and encouraged healthy competition among cities to drive performance. He cited Indore and Surat as exemplary models of urban cleanliness, urging other cities to follow suit with community-driven initiatives. Minister of State’s Remarks: Citizen Responsibility & Visible Progress Shri Tokhan Sahu noted that SBM has: Significantly contributed to reducing child mortality. Led to visible improvements in urban cleanliness. Instilled a sense of responsibility among citizens to maintain cleanliness in their surroundings. Way Forward & Accountability Measures Committee members shared their views and suggestions for strengthening the mission. Shri Manohar Lal assured that an Action Taken Report (ATR) would be presented in the next meeting, ensuring accountability and informed progress tracking. With a continued focus on sustainability, innovation, and citizen participation, Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban 2.0 remains a cornerstone in India’s journey towards a cleaner, healthier urban future.