The Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation has released its rankings of “Swachh Iconic Places” in which Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in Jammu and Kashmir has been declared as the “Best Swachh Iconic place” in the country. The shrine has topped the list on the basis of the overall improvement in sanitation brought about by the shrine’s board due to several initiatives taken in last few years to ensure cleanliness of the entire shrine area, Ministry officials said. Initiatives like installing water kiosks, equid dung management centre, kill waste machines, collection, transportation and disposal of waste along with regular mopping up of waste though a workforce of 1300 sanitation workers among others have enabled the shrine to achieve the top rank, spokesperson of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) said. In recent years, the government has also invested in the infrastructure projects in the region with the latest project being the government’s decision to launch Vande Bharat Express on the route between Delhi and Katra. Once the commercial runs begin, it is estimated that the passengers will be able to cover the distance in just eight hours as opposed to the current 10 to 12 hours. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) in Mumbai has also been named as the ‘Best Swachh Iconic’ place.
