Chief Minister Launches ‘Swachh Shehar Samridh Shehar’ Program and ‘Citizen Service Portal’ to Transform Urban Living.
Shimla:
In a significant move towards enhancing urban living standards, Chief Minister’s Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today launched two transformative initiatives — the ‘Swachh Shehar Samridh Shehar’ program and the ‘Citizen Service Portal’ for Urban Development in Himachal Pradesh. The new Citizen Service Portal, which is accessible through the citizenseva.hp.gov.in platform, is part of the One State, One Portal initiative and aims to streamline and digitize urban local services across the state.
The ‘Swachh Shehar Samridh Shehar’ program will address key urban concerns, including cleanliness, environmental protection, and efficient waste management within Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). As part of this initiative, the state government will implement various measures to ensure a clean and prosperous environment in cities and towns.
The Citizen Service Portal is designed to provide an integrated, end-to-end online solution for ULBs, aiming to enhance public service delivery. Initially, nine essential services will be offered through the portal, including trade licenses, property tax management, grievance redressal, and community place bookings. The portal will eventually expand to offer 45 services, streamlining urban administration and empowering citizens with easier access to vital services.
On the launch, Chief Minister Sukhu highlighted the importance of these initiatives, stating, “The Citizen Service Portal will make public services more efficient and accessible, ensuring ease of living for the people. Through this, we aim to offer citizens a seamless experience, from garbage collection and billing to grievance resolution.” He also revealed that the portal would create garbage IDs for over 2.8 lakh households in urban areas, facilitating better waste management and the issuance of bills.
In his address, the Chief Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to technology-driven governance while maintaining inclusive development. “The state is undergoing a paradigm shift in governance, from traditional methods to more efficient and modern solutions, improving the effectiveness of ULBs,” he added.
In addition to technological upgrades, the state is focusing on improving infrastructure and amenities in urban areas. Modern garbage disposal systems and enhanced parks and parking facilities are being developed across ULBs. Notably, Shimla has emerged as the top city in the national Ease of Living Index, showcasing the success of these ongoing efforts.
The Chief Minister also introduced a pilot project in Shimla to purify drinking water using advanced ozone and UV technologies, further underscoring the state’s commitment to providing world-class healthcare and drinking water to its citizens.
In a move to address public grievances, Chief Minister Sukhu announced that Samadhan Shivirs (grievance redressal camps) would be organized in all ULBs starting February 10, 2025. These camps will offer citizens the opportunity to raise and resolve their issues at the ward level, alongside awareness programs promoting the Clean City Prosperous City campaign.
Further support was provided to newly formed ULBs, with financial assistance of Rs. 10.62 lakh per body to purchase garbage collection vehicles. Additionally, POS machines were distributed to ULBs to facilitate online payments.
Urban Development Minister Vikramaditya Singh underscored the government’s continuous efforts to address urbanization challenges by preparing long-term development plans and promoting sustainable growth. He also announced a mass awareness campaign for effective waste management and scientific disposal techniques.
In a bid to bolster sustainable urban initiatives, the Urban Development Department signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with IIT Ropar and GIZ. These partnerships will focus on research, innovation, and waste management to drive large-scale improvements in cleanliness and environmental protection.
The launch event also featured addresses by key officials, including Principal Secretary Devesh Kumar, GIZ Director Christine Kafenstaner, and Director of Urban Development Dr. Neeraj Kumar, who expressed their gratitude for the Chief Minister’s leadership and vision. A short play on cleanliness was also presented to highlight the importance of community participation in maintaining a clean and prosperous urban environment.
The event was attended by various dignitaries, including MLA Sanjay Awasthi, Shimla Mayor Surinder Chauhan, and representatives from ULBs.
With these transformative steps, Himachal Pradesh is taking a major leap towards making urban living more efficient, sustainable, and citizen-friendly.
