LUCKNOW, Feb. 19 -- The Uttar Pradesh government has launched the 'Swachh Ward Competition-2026' across all urban local bodies from February 17 to 28 under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban), to strengthen grassroots cleanliness efforts ahead of Swachh Survekshan 2026. Residents, ward committees, schools, colleges, universities and other stakeholders will help assess sanitation standards across 12 key parameters. Wards will be evaluated through a structured marking system. Categories include source segregation of waste (30 marks), door-to-door collection (20), and 10 marks each for community and home composting, clean back lanes, single-use plastic ban, clean toilets, drain cleaning, garbage vulnerable point and black spot transformation, zero-waste events, IEC campaigns, educational institutions' participation through Swachh Sarathi Clubs, and the role of Swachh Vatavaran Protsahan Committees. Top-performing wards will be awarded by their respective urban local bodies. Special focus will be placed on transforming garbage-vulnerable points and black spots.Principal secretary, Urban Development, P Guruprasad said the initiative aims to strengthen groundwork for Swachh Survekshan 2026 and deepen citizen engagement, promoting cleanliness as a lasting public habit and shared responsibility....