Indore: Indore was awarded cleanest city of the country, because its well-planned waste segregation, conversion and disposal, while Madhya Pradesh got the award of 'Best State' at the Indian Smart Cities Conclave 2023 held here. 

At two-day conclave at the Brilliant Convention Centre here, President Droupadi Murmu gave away award for Cleanest City to its MP Shankar Lalwani and Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargav.

President Murmu also presented 66 awards under various categories to the winners.

In the National Smart Cities category, Surat and Agra claimed the second and third positions, respectively. The Best State Award saw a tie between Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh for the third spot, with Tamil Nadu securing the second position. Chandigarh was honoured with the Best Union Territory Award.

The distinguished guests present at the function were Governor Mangubhai Patel! Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri; MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and ministers Bhupendra Yadav, Ashwini Vaishnav and Kaushal Kishore. (CHANGE THE ORDER SENIORITY WISE)

Chief Minister Chouhan attributed the achievements of Indore and Madhya Pradesh to public participation.

Union Minister Hardeep Puri commended Indore as a model of urban development, highlighting the renowned 'Chappan Dukan' smart street food market as a source of pride.

Puri emphasized the crucial role of the Smart City project in India's development, aiming to become a developed nation by 2047. He commended the remarkable growth of the project, even in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic; and also praised Madhya Pradesh for setting a new benchmark as the Best State.

At the conclusion of the event, Chief Minister Chouhan presented President Murmu with a Gond painting as a token of appreciation. /BI