Madurai Ranks as India's Dirtiest City in Swachh Survekshan 2025
The Swachh Survekshan 2025 survey ranked Madurai as the dirtiest city in India, followed by Ludhiana and Chennai. The survey assesses urban cleanliness and sanitation, highlighting poor urban governance in these cities. Major metros like Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, and Srinagar also featured among the bottom ten, while the cleanest cities include Ahmedabad and Bhopal.
According to the Swachh Survekshan 2025 survey, part of the Government of India's Swachh Bharat Mission, Madurai has been identified as the dirtiest city in India. Ludhiana and Chennai occupy the second and third positions respectively, with Chennai’s ranking causing particular concern in Tamil Nadu. The survey evaluates cities on sanitation standards, waste management efficiency, and citizen involvement in cleanliness efforts. Following Madurai, Ludhiana, and Chennai, cities such as Ranchi, Bangalore, Mumbai, Srinagar, and Delhi also ranked poorly, indicating widespread urban sanitation challenges. Contrastingly, the cleanest cities include Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Lucknow, Raipur, and Jabalpur. Madurai’s dual distinction as the overall dirtiest city and last among cities with over one million residents underscores systemic urban management issues. The low rankings of two major South Indian cities, Madurai and Chennai, have sparked calls for improved urban governance to address sanitation deficits and enhance public hygiene across the region.
