Swachh Andhra: Naidu Sets 2026 Deadline for Waste-Free State

“People should distinguish between good and bad governance. Only clean thinking and responsible leadership can ensure a safe and prosperous future for Andhra Pradesh,” the CM underlined at the Swarna Andhra–Swachh Andhra programme organised at Nagari on Saturday.

As part of the event, he inaugurated and laid foundation stones for several solid waste management projects across the state. He honoured sanitation workers for their contribution in ensuring cleanliness. “Cleanliness should become a way of life,” he underlined, pointing out that ministers, officials and himself are participating in sanitation activities every third Saturday of the month.

Recalling initiatives, such as Janmabhoomi and Pachhadanam-Parishubhrata programmes launched during his earlier tenure, the Chief Minister said the Swachh Andhra mission he has now launched is aimed at making citizens active stakeholders in maintaining hygiene across the state.

He said development works worth ₹573 crore are being taken up across Andhra Pradesh under the sanitation programme. Under the Swachh Bharat Mission Urban 2.0, 101 integrated solid waste management projects are being implemented at a cost of ₹510 crore. For household waste processing, over 9,000 home composting bins worth ₹2.21 crore have been distributed to MEPMA resource persons. In rural areas, door-to-door waste collection is being strengthened under Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen 2.0, with deployment of e-autos, tricycles and pushcarts.

Naidu said large-scale sanitation drives have resulted in removal of a record 105 lakh metric tonnes of legacy from urban areas and seven lakh metric tonnes from rural areas so far. He highlighted his government’s aim of clearing 100 per cent of legacy waste by March 2026.

The CM announced that four waste-to-energy plants will be taken up under the PPP model in Kurnool, Rajamahendravaram, Kadapa and Nellore, which will start generating power within two years. Similar proposals are under consideration for Vijayawada and Tirupati.

Naidu reiterated his government’s commitment to make Andhra Pradesh plastic-free. He pointed out that plastic use had already been stopped at the state secretariat and several municipal offices. He said the state, which acquired the open defecation free (ODF) status in 2018, will become ODF Plus by March this year.

The Chief Minister criticised the previous government for misgovernance, restrictions on freedom of expression and political vendetta. He said these led to TD, BJP and Jana Sena alliance securing a strong mandate, which is being used to implement welfare schemes and development programmes as promised. He asserted that Amaravati will be developed as a world-class capital and said investments worth ₹20 lakh crore are expected to be made within Andhra Pradesh.

Referring to the previous government raising power tariffs several times, Naidu assured that there would be no hike in electricity charges and irrigation projects, including Polavaram, will be completed as scheduled.

Later, the CM felicitated mentors participating in the P4 programme. He called upon more well-to-do people to partner with the government in its efforts to uplift the poor families across the state.