Union Minister Manohar Lal launched the PRAGATI-50 initiative in New Delhi on 29 September to develop 50 model cities for cleanliness across 24 states.

The programme falls under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0. The selected cities will get support to improve waste management, sanitation and public spaces, becoming models for others. Central teams will assess progress every quarter.

Bhubaneswar and Puri are among the cities chosen under the initiative, according to reports. Each city will work on time-bound cleanliness targets covering door-to-door waste collection and processing. Citizen feedback will form part of the assessment.

Officials said the goal is to create visible examples of clean urban living. The initiative adds to the government's push to make Indian cities garbage-free by 2026.

The mission's second phase focuses on making cities garbage-free and water-secure. Model cities under PRAGATI-50 are expected to share best practices with other urban bodies through workshops and study visits.