During the Swachh Bharat Diwas celebrations organized by the Itanagar Municipal Corporation at the State Banquet Hall under the nationwide Swachhata Hi Seva-2026 campaign, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu passionately called upon all citizens to treat cleanliness as a collective responsibility and actively contribute toward building cleaner, greener communities across the state. Commencing the event with floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi to honor his timeless ideals of truth, non-violence, simplicity, and service, Khandu emphasized that maintaining a pristine capital city is vital because Itanagar serves as the primary mirror reflecting the overall image of Arunachal Pradesh. To drive this mission forward, the Chief Minister launched the “Swachhta Vahaan” to spearhead grassroots awareness on responsible waste management and administered the Swachhata pledge to students and volunteers, urging them to dedicate at least 100 hours annually—roughly two hours every week—to active community service. Demonstrating his commitment by example, Khandu also participated in a hands-on cleanliness drive and a tree plantation program under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” initiative at Itafort in Ward No. 10, asserting that fostering public responsibility remains the most fitting tribute to the Father of the Nation. In addition to physical drives, the event marked the launch of the innovative IMC App, a technology-driven platform designed to enhance urban municipal services through real-time tracking of garbage collection vehicles, citizen photo-reporting of overflowing bins, and transparent monitoring of sanitation activities. Echoing these sentiments, Chief Secretary Manish Kumar Gupta stressed the necessity of sustained public participation, while IMC Commissioner Kego Jilen outlined municipal objectives and requested increased budgetary allocations to strengthen city infrastructure. The high-profile event drew enthusiastic attendance from Itanagar MLA Techi Kacho, IMC Mayor Likha Nari Tadar, Deputy Mayor Tok Tabin Camdir, ICR Deputy Commissioner Toko Babu, alongside numerous students, municipal officials, and local dignitaries committed to environmental stewardship.
