Paradip Port Authority (PPA) has been awarded the First Prize at the Swachhata Pakhwada Awards 2025, instituted by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), in recognition of its outstanding performance in cleanliness, sustainability, and community participation.

The award was presented by Hon’ble Union Minister of Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, with Hon’ble Minister of State, Shri Shantanu Thakur and Shri Vijay Kumar, IAS, Secretary, of MoPSW, in attendance, at a ceremony held in New Delhi on Tuesday, 3rd February 2026. Shri P. L. Haranadh, IRTS, Chairman of Paradip Port Authority, received the honour on behalf of the port team.

Several MoPSW organizations have been recognized with the Swachh Bharat Pakhwada Awards–2025 for exemplary performance during Swachhata Pakhwada 2025 and Swachhata Hi Sewa 2025, marked by cleanliness drives, citizen engagement, advocacy, and Safai Mitra welfare, promoting a cleaner and more sustainable work environment.

This achievement marks a proud milestone, reflecting the port’s strong commitment to the ideals of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, environmental stewardship, and inclusive development. Under the guidance of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Paradip Port Authority successfully implemented the three core pillars of Swachhata Pakhwada 2025: Jan Bhagidari, Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam, and Safai Mitra Suraksha.

As part of Jan Bhagidari, PPA ensured large-scale public participation through cleanliness drives across schools, heritage sites, temples, beaches, ponds, and port premises. Activities such as cyclothons, Swachhata Raths, rallies, Swachhata Runs, human chains, and citizen-led drives under campaigns like Ek Din Ek Ghanta Ek Saath reinforced the message that cleanliness is everyone’s responsibility.

Under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam initiative, extensive plantation drives transformed neglected areas into clean green zones. A significant highlight was the plantation of 40,000 saplings at Paradip Sea Beach to mark the birthday of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0” campaign. This reinforced the port’s commitment to environmental protection, sustainable growth, and building a greener, healthier India.

The Safai Mitra Suraksha pillar focused on the welfare, safety, and dignity of sanitation workers. Medical check-ups were organized, and Safai Mitras were formally recognized, including special felicitation on the Prime Minister’s birthday, acknowledging their invaluable contribution to cleanliness.

PPA also conducted awareness campaigns against single-use plastics through street theatre, rallies, cotton bag drives, and citizen engagement under the theme End Plastic Pollution. Innovative initiatives like Scrap to Structure and exhibitions on Waste to Wealth showcased sustainable reuse of Swachh Bharat Mission assets, involving youth and local talent.

Additional activities included Swachhata-themed paintings, rangoli competitions, selfie booths, clean food street initiatives, blood donation camps, and renovation of the Administrative Building under Special Campaign 5.0, strengthening the culture of cleanliness across the port ecosystem.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri P. L. Haranadh, Chairman, PPA, stated that the award reflects the collective dedication of the workforce, contractual staff, stakeholders, and local community. He reaffirmed Paradip Port Authority’s ongoing commitment to cleanliness, sustainability, and meaningful community engagement.

The Swachhata Pakhwada Awards are an annual initiative of MoPSW, evaluating ports and maritime institutions across the country on cleanliness drives, waste management, green initiatives, and public participation. This recognition reinforces Paradip Port Authority’s leadership in advancing the Clean India Mission and setting benchmarks for sustainable port operations.

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PN/IY

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