Union Minister of State for Petroleum, Natural Gas, and Tourism Suresh Gopi on Tuesday emphasised that the Swachh Bharat Mission is a genuine people’s movement built on the collective responsibility of every citizen.

Speaking at the Swachhata Pakhwada 2026 celebrations, organised by the Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) Visakh Refinery at HPCL Waltair Park in Siripuram, the Minister urged citizens to integrate environmental conservation and responsible civic behaviour into their daily lives to help realise the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’.

Mr. Suresh Gopi participated in a Swachhata Rally along with more than 150 school students, HPCL employees, and local residents. Following the rally, the Minister administered the Swachh Bharat pledge to the gathering. He also planted a sapling under the central government’s “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign and distributed saplings to children, encouraging them to actively protect the environment.

Acknowledging the essential role played by municipal frontline workers, the Minister distributed hygiene kits and millet bags to sanitation workers from the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) in recognition of their dedicated service. To improve waste management in public spaces, he distributed dustbins to farmers and administrative staff of the local Rythu Bazaar.

The Minister later felicitated more than 130 winners of various contests held as part of the cleanliness fortnight, including students from local schools, colleges, and the Skill Development Institute (SDI), Visakhapatnam. He commended HPCL for its commitment to sustainability, clean energy, and community welfare.