Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) Commissioner Ketan Garg inaugurated “Operation Clean Sweep” at Lumbini Park on Saturday (May 23, 2026), following directions from the State government, District Collector, and Special Officer of GVMC, M. Abhishikth Kishore.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Abhishikth Kishore stated that as part of “Operation Clean Sweep,” the focus will be on cleaning problematic areas, such as yellow points, red points, and garbage accumulation spots in the city. He noted that although Visakhapatnam has been implementing waste management effectively, some garbage accumulation points are still visible.

He also said that the Swachh Survekshan–2026 assessment process has already begun and third-party surveys are being conducted on behalf of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). He appealed to the citizens to provide positive feedback regarding city cleanliness and cooperate in helping Visakhapatnam secure the No. 1 rank nationwide.

GVMC Commissioner Ketan Garg stated that as part of the four-week cleanliness drive, the first week, from May 23 to May 28, will focus on roads, red/yellow points, and visible cleanliness activities; the second week, from May 29 to June 4, will focus on cleaning stormwater drains, canals, and back lanes; the third week, from June 5 to June 11, will emphasise waste segregation and on-site composting by residential, commercial, and bulk waste generators; the fourth week, from June 12 to June 20, will concentrate on cleanliness drives at toilets and areas vulnerable to garbage accumulation.

Subsequently, the Commissioner visited the STP located beside Lumbini Park and observed that the area was emitting a severe foul odour. He directed the concerned engineering officials to take immediate measures to control the unpleasant smell.

Meanwhile, representatives of the local fishermen community met the Commissioner and requested support for establishing a cold storage facility to preserve fish after returning from fishing activities. They also requested permission to establish a marketplace in the vacant beachside area adjacent to the STP to support the livelihood of fishermen.

After inspecting the site, the Commissioner informed them that there are proposals for constructing an additional STP in the area and that a decision would be taken after a detailed examination. He instructed Zonal Commissioner K. Sivaprasad to conduct a comprehensive site inspection in this regard.