The Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) successfully observed Swachhata Pakhwada from 16^th to 31^st August 2026, as part of the Government of India’s Swachh Bharat Mission. The mission promotes cleanliness, hygiene, and sustainability across the nation. The two-week campaign followed the Calendar of Swachhata Pakhwada 2026 issued by the Government of India. This activity demonstrated MHI’s commitment to make cleanliness a shared duty and create a sustainable work environment.

The observance started with a pledge-taking ceremony on cleanliness by the officers and officials of MHI on 16^th August 2026. Shri Kamran Rizvi, Secretary, MHI, administered the Swachhata Pledge to the Officers and Officials of MHI, reaffirming collective resolve to uphold cleanliness, and strengthen the spirit of Swachhata across workplaces and communities, thereby contributing to the vision of a Swachh Bharat.

Shri Kamran Rizvi, Secretary, Ministry of Heavy Industries administering ‘Swachhata Pledge’ to officers/officials of the Ministry

Shri Vijay Mittal, Joint Secretary, MHI, felicitated the sanitation and support staff of the Ministry in recognition of their dedicated services and valuable contribution towards maintaining cleanliness, hygiene and a clean workplace. Tokens of appreciation were presented to acknowledge their efforts and commitment, while recognising the dignity of work and the important role played by the support staff in fostering a clean and hygienic work environment.

Shri Vijay Mittal, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Heavy Industries, felicitated the dedicated sanitation and support staff

Throughout the fortnight, various activities were carried out to promote cleanliness and sustainability within the Ministry premises, including:

Cleanliness drives across all rooms, staircases, corridors, and common areas of GPOA-3.

Removalof unserviceable furniture, computers, printers, and other obsolete items to clear workspaces.

An essay competition on the theme ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ was organized on 21^st August 2026 to reinforce the commitment towards creating a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable workplace, thereby contributing to the vision of a Swachh Bharat.

MHI organised an Essay Writing Competition to encourage awareness, participation and a sense of collective responsibility towards cleanliness and hygiene.

As part of Swachhata Pakhwada (16^th–31^st August, 2026), Bharat Heavy Electrical Limited (BHEL), a CPSE under the Ministry of Heavy Industries, across its manufacturing units, offices, project sites and establishments participated in various activities of Swachhata Pakhwada. During the campaign, BHEL carried out various activities such as cleanliness and housekeeping drives, removal and segregation of waste and scrap, cleaning of drains and common areas, revival and cleaning of rainwater harvesting systems, and internal audits covering STPs, ETPs, waste-management facilities, biomedical waste areas and storage systems. Special public cleanliness initiatives were also undertaken, including bus-stop cleaning at Tiruchirappalli, a beach clean-up at Palavakkam Beach, Chennai, and railway-track cleaning at Hyderabad. The Pakhwada concluded with Cleanathons, prize distribution and recognition of sanitation and housekeeping personnel, reaffirming BHEL’s commitment to cleanliness, environmental sustainability and collective responsibility in line with the vision of a Swachh Bharat.

BHEL carried out various activities across its manufacturing units, offices, project sites and establishments.

Other Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) and Autonomous Bodies (ABs) under the Ministry of Heavy Industries also actively participated in Swachhata Pakhwada from 16^th to 31^st August, 2026. The International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT), Manesar organised workplace and outdoor cleanliness drives, awareness activities on waste segregation, e-waste and reduction of single-use plastics, along with a Swachhata Quiz.

ICAT participated in Swachhata Pakhwada by undertaking a cleanliness drive across its centre.

NEPA Limited conducted cleanliness drives, plantation activities, cleanliness audits and housekeeping competitions. Bridge and Roof Company (India) Limited (B&R) undertook cleanliness drives across offices and project sites, tree plantation, e-waste and scrap disposal and awareness activities.

NEPA participated in a cleanliness drive and collective shramdaan at the Administrative Building, reaffirming their commitment to a clean, hygienic and responsible workplace

Hindustan Salts Limited (HSL) focused on workplace cleanliness, sanitation, waste management, plantation, fire-safety and digital cleanliness. Instrumentation Limited organised awareness rallies, painting competitions, cleanliness drives and sanitation improvement activities, while HMT Limited conducted cleanliness and beautification drives, waste segregation, e-waste disposal, plantation and awareness programmes. National Automotive Board (NAB) observed Swachhata Pakhwada with pledge-taking, awareness programmes, competitions and cleanliness drives. Awareness activities and a painting competition were also organised for school students, promoting cleanliness, hygiene and environmental responsibility.

A plantation drive was conducted at the premises of Instrumentation Limited

The successful observance of Swachhata Pakhwada 2026 reaffirmed the MHI’s commitment to the Swachh Bharat Mission and the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047. Through collective efforts of employees of MHI and its CPSEs/ABs, the Ministry promoted cleanliness, sustainability and collective responsibility, contributing towards a cleaner, greener, healthier and more developed India, ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.

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TPJ