Student Aarvi’s Viral Sanitation Video Sparks Action in Katra: Appointed ‘Swachhata Ambassador’ as Ward 9 Set to Become Model Ward

JAMMU, AUGUST 07, 2026 — Taking swift note of sanitation concerns highlighted in a video by a young student, Commissioner Secretary of the Housing and Urban Development Department, Mandeep Kaur, visited Ward numbers 9 and 10 of the Katra Municipal Committee to personally assess the issues raised by Aarvi Mandla, a Class IV student from Katra. During the visit, Kaur interacted with Aarvi, local residents, community representatives, and municipal officials to conduct detailed deliberations on critical civic matters, including solid waste management, drainage, door-to-door garbage collection, home composting, user charge collection, and active community participation in maintaining local hygiene.

Praising the young student’s civic responsibility, Mandeep Kaur congratulated Aarvi for taking a constructive stand and displaying commendable awareness for her neighbourhood. In recognition of her proactive initiative, Aarvi was officially appointed as the local “Swachhata Ambassador.” Expressing her gratitude to the department and the community for responding positively to her appeal, an elated Aarvi accepted the role to help lead future cleanliness drives. In response to the student’s initiative, the Commissioner Secretary directed municipal officers to develop Ward number 9 into a “Model Swachhata Ward” through collaborative stakeholder efforts.

To establish the model ward, instructions were issued to distribute composting bins, promote source segregation of waste, encourage home composting, and launch an intensive Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaign to sensitise residents for sustainable outcomes. The Katra Municipal Committee was further directed to ensure complete last-mile door-to-door waste collection covering every household and commercial establishment, systematically collect user charges, regularly desilt drains, eliminate vulnerable garbage dumping points, and maintain strict field-level supervision. Supported by the Director of Urban Local Bodies Jammu and local municipal officials present during the visit, a sustained public awareness campaign will feature Aarvi leading efforts to engage students, shopkeepers, and families, backed by strict enforcement of Solid Waste Management and Swachh Bharat Mission guidelines to penalise littering and improper waste disposal.