PRAGATI-50 Initiative Targets 50 Indian Cities to Raise Cleanliness Standards

The Indian government has launched PRAGATI-50, a new initiative selecting 50 cities to strengthen cleanliness and sanitation across urban areas. The programme operates within the existing Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban 2.0 framework, with participating cities required to adopt focused, time-bound action plans. Union Minister Manohar Lal will personally oversee regular review meetings to track progress across selected cities. State governments and local bodies have been directed to develop concrete implementation strategies to meet the initiative's goals. The programme also emphasises active citizen participation as a key component of its approach to improving urban sanitation.