Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) has secured first place at the national level in the Swachhta Pakhwada Awards 2024, bringing national recognition to the city.
In the competition organised by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW), Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port Authority (SMPA) won second place, while the Indian Maritime University (IMU) came third.
The Ministry specially commended VPA for its outstanding cleanliness and sanitation initiatives, Port Secretary T. Venugopal said in a press release.
Under the themes “Swachhta Ki Bhagidari” (Participation in Cleanliness) and “Sampoorna Swachhta” (Total Cleanliness), VPA undertook a range of impactful activities — including large-scale cleanliness drives, a tree plantation campaign titled “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” (One Tree in Mother’s Name), wall murals, school awareness programs, cultural events, and creative competitions to promote the Swachh Bharat mission.
One of the most notable efforts was a mega clean-up drive at the Fishing Harbour, during which sunken boats that had been submerged for over 15 years were removed.