In News:

• The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has launched the Swachh Shehar Jodi (SSJ) initiative, a structured mentorship and collaborative action program under the Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban (SBM-U).
• This initiative pairs top-performing mentor cities with low-performing mentee cities to facilitate knowledge-sharing, peer learning, and replication of best practices in sanitation and waste management.

Objectives                             

The primary aim of the SSJ initiative is to:

• Support low-performing cities in improving their sanitation outcomes.
• Replicate tested best practices in waste management and urban cleanliness.
• Foster peer learning, experience sharing, and collaborative urban transformation.
• Ensure no city is left behind in the spirit of Antyodaya, promoting inclusive urban development.

Structure of the Initiative

• Mentor Cities: Selected from the Super Swachh League, which comprises cities consistently ranking 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in Swachh Survekshan (SS) 2022, 2023, and 2024 across various population categories. Additional mentors include promising clean cities identified in SS 2024.
• Mentee Cities: Selected from the lowest ranks in their State’s cumulative SS rankings, with preference for geographical proximity to mentor cities.
• Scale: The initiative involves 72 mentor cities paired with around 200 mentee cities. Nearly 300 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed simultaneously to formalize these partnerships.

Implementation Approach

• 100-Day Program: Each mentor–mentee pair develops an action plan with clear milestones, focusing on knowledge transfer and implementation of best practices.
• Capacity Building Funds: Both mentor and mentee cities can utilize funds allocated under SBM-U 2.0, supplemented by state contributions or other sources.
• Policy Support: MoHUA provides strategic guidance and monitoring to ensure effective implementation.
• Evaluation: Progress will be assessed through Swachh Survekshan 2026, measuring improvements in sanitation performance.

Significance

• Represents one of the largest time-bound mentorship frameworks in urban sanitation in India.
• Encourages citizen engagement, resilient governance, and operational excellence.
• Promotes scaling of successful urban waste management practices across diverse cities.
• Aligns with the broader vision of Swachh Bharat Mission by building capacity, capabilities, and collaborative urban governance.