Lucknow. Uttar Pradesh has created its own identity in the country in terms of clean air. In the City Level Clean Air Survey-2026, the capital Lucknow has stunned UP by securing the first position in the country. At the same time, Indore, which is known as the cleanest city of the country, stood second in terms of clean air.
Lucknow was awarded Rank-1 among the National Level Best Performing Cities in a program organized by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change at Ganga Auditorium, Indira Paryavaran Bhawan, New Delhi on the occasion of Clean Air Day. This achievement has been achieved under the National Clean Air Program (NCAP).
The special thing is that not only Lucknow city, but Ward No. 70 Paper Mill Colony located in Zone-4 of Lucknow Municipal Corporation has also won at the national level. In the category of wards with population more than 30 thousand, Ward-70 Paper Mill Colony was chosen as the number-1 best performing ward of the country.
₹1.50 crore to Lucknow, ₹50 lakh to Paper Mill Colony
Lucknow received a cash prize of Rs 1 crore 50 lakh under National Clean Air City Rank-1, Category-1. At the same time, Ward-70 Paper Mill Colony was given a prize of Rs 50 lakh for achieving National Best Performing Ward Rank-1 in the category of wards with population more than 30 thousand. The councilor of Paper Mill Colony is Rajesh Singh Gabbar of BJP.
Mayor Sushma Kharkwal, Municipal Commissioner Gaurav Kumar, Additional Municipal Commissioner Pankaj Srivastava and Environmental Engineer Sanjeev Pradhan were present on the stage to receive the honour.
This honor was given by National Green Tribunal (NGT) Chairman Justice Prakash Srivastava, Air Quality Management Commission Chairman Rajesh Verma, Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Tanmay Kumar, Director General of Forests and Special Secretary Sushil Kumar Awasthi, Additional Secretary Ashutosh Agnihotri and Additional Secretary of the Ministry and Chairman of the Central Pollution Control Board Dr. Amandeep Garg.
Why Lucknow became number-1?
Lucknow has received this honor on the basis of continuous efforts made by the Municipal Corporation to reduce air pollution and improve the air of the city. Large scale work was done in areas like electric vehicles, control of road dust, scientific waste management, increasing greenery and improving traffic system.
Garbage collection from 1,100 electric vehicles
Lucknow Municipal Corporation is using around 1,100 electric vehicles for door-to-door garbage collection. These also include small e-auto tippers for narrow streets.
These vehicles are monitored through GPS. A separate control command center has been created for this. Arrangements for 12 charging stations and 916 charging points have been made for the operation of electric vehicles.
97 Dust control with electric sweeping machines
To reduce road dust and pollution, 97 electric mechanized sweeping machines have been installed in the city. Along with cleaning the major roads, water sprinkling is also done.
The Municipal Corporation has paved 559.85 km of roads end-to-end, which has helped in reducing dust blown from the roads.
Scientific waste processing with 2,550 TPD capacity
Arrangements have been made for scientific disposal of the daily waste generated in Lucknow. There is provision for 100 per cent scientific waste processing through 2,550 TPD capacity and dumping of fresh waste has been stopped.
The trips of vehicles carrying garbage from compactor transfer stations have also reduced. Earlier there used to be about 240 rounds per day, now this number has come down to about 150 rounds per day. This has helped in reducing pollution caused by vehicles.
A separate collection center for construction and demolition waste and a 300 TPD capacity C&D waste processing plant are also operational. Action is being taken against those throwing debris illegally.
Greenery, e-bus and traffic improvement increased the impact
To increase greenery in the city, vertical gardens, roadside and riverside green areas have been developed. Saplings were also planted using Miyawaki method with the help of Development Authority and Forest Department.
To reduce traffic jams, works like construction of flyovers and road widening have been done. At the same time, 140 electric buses are promoting clean transportation in the city.
Awareness campaigns were conducted regarding electric vehicles and fitness of vehicles. Along with encouraging rooftop solar, work was also done to increase the reach of clean fuels like LPG and PNG.
Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board and related departments are monitoring pollution control in industrial areas. The Municipal Corporation is also coordinating in this.
Steps like cleaning of drains, installing iron mesh on outlets, preventing solid waste from entering rivers and action against single use plastic have also been taken.
Mayor said- this is the achievement of entire Lucknow
Mayor Sushma Kharkwal described Lucknow's first position in the National Clean Air Survey as a matter of pride and happiness for the entire city. He said that this achievement has been possible due to the leadership, guidance and continuous support of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
He met Urban Development and Energy Minister A.K. Also expressed gratitude to Sharma for his guidance and cooperation.
The Mayor said that this honor is not just the achievement of the Municipal Corporation, but the achievement of the entire people of Lucknow. This success would not have been possible without the cooperation and awareness of the city residents.
Congratulating all the councillors, officers and employees of the Municipal Corporation, he said that due to collective efforts, hard work and dedication, Lucknow has succeeded in securing the first position at the national level. The Municipal Corporation will continue to work with team spirit to make Lucknow a clean, beautiful, green and better city.
Indore at second place
Indore, which has the number-1 recognition for cleanliness in the country, has also achieved great achievements in the field of clean air. Indore has got second position in the country in the Clean Air Survey-2026.
Indore was honored with the National Clean Air Appreciation Award at the Clean Air Day function held in New Delhi. The award was received by Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava, Municipal Corporation Commissioner Kshitij Singhal and Sanitation in-charge Ashwini Shukla.
Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava said on the occasion that this achievement is the result of awareness, participation and continuous efforts of the people of Indore. He attributed the achievement to road sweeping, waste management, red light on-engine off and various innovations made in the industry.
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