By NE NOW NEWS
Aizawl: Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs and Power, Manohar Lal, on Friday reviewed the implementation of the Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban (SBM-U) in Aizawl and directed state authorities to prepare a time-bound action plan to improve visible cleanliness across urban areas.
During the review meeting, the Union Minister highlighted 18 issues related to urban cleanliness, in line with the emphasis laid down by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the PRAGATI review meeting held on May 27, according to official sources.
The meeting was attended by Mizoram Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation Minister K. Sapdanga, Power Minister F. Rodingliana, senior officials from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), the Ministry of Power, and officials from the Mizoram government’s Urban Development and Power departments.
Manohar Lal instructed state officials to submit a detailed action plan with monitorable timelines to address the gaps and strengthen the implementation of the SBM-U programme in the state, the sources said.
He also urged the state government to expedite the release of its 10 per cent matching share under the mission, noting that the Centre had already released 90 per cent of the required funds, it said.
The Union Minister also announced that MoHUA would train local youth in advanced technologies used for quantifying legacy waste, including LiDAR and drone-based surveys, and other similar technology-intensive activities in which capacity may currently be lacking.
He further said similar training programmes would be extended to youths from other northeastern states.
Reiterating the Centre’s commitment to improving sanitation and urban cleanliness, the Minister said the Centre remained focused on achieving visible and lasting cleanliness outcomes in the urban areas of Mizoram in line with the Prime Minister’s vision.