The Swachh Survekshan 2024–25 Awards have once again drawn the national spotlight on urban sanitation, public participation, and scientific waste management. Indore, Ahmedabad, and Navi Mumbai have set the benchmark, but for Nagaland and particularly Mokokchung, the results are sobering. Ranked 1577 out 4,500 cities nationwide and 28th among Nagaland’s 39 ULBs, Mokokchung’s position may seem discouraging; but it also offers a moment for honest introspection.
First, credit must be given to the Mokokchung Municipal Council (MMC), which has visibly made efforts to improve civic services. Anyone familiar with the town knows that MMC is actually putting a lot of effort and streets are reasonably clean by small-town standards. The presence of a dedicated waste collection system, functioning landfill site, MRF, and regular public announcements on cleanliness campaigns suggest that work is being done.
But why did the town receive such a low ranking?
The answer may lie in how Swachh Survekshan evaluates performance. The assessment is rigorous, spanning 10 parameters and 54 indicators. While infrastructure and fieldwork matter, so does documentation – records of waste processing, photographic proof of public toilets, citizen feedback, and even real-time data entry. A failure to adequately capture and submit these details may have hurt Mokokchung’s scores. The continued practice of collecting garbage at community points rather than through door-to-door collection (D2D) is also a key factor, as D2D remains a major indicator in the national survey.
Another red flag is Mokokchung’s 0% score in waste segregation and processing, which doesn’t reflect ground reality. There is some level of segregation happening, though unorganised and limited, but it appears these efforts were either not documented or not compliant with the standards set. Moreover, the town is yet to achieve even ODF+ status, raising serious questions about sanitation infrastructure and monitoring.
This is not to undermine the merit of the national survey. Rather, it should push MMC and citizens alike to treat this result not as a condemnation but as an opportunity. A town that values its livability must also value rigorous evaluation. Hiring a consultant to audit the Survekshan assessment and guide future improvements would be a pragmatic step. It would help pinpoint specific gaps, whether in paperwork, practice, or public participation.
At the end of the day, the awards are not just about rankings. They are about raising the quality of life in our towns. Let Mokokchung use this moment not to feel slighted, but to strive harder… because a clean town is not a trophy, but a shared responsibility.
