GUWAHATI: The Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) has decided to organise the Swachh Durga Puja Competition 2026 to promote cleanliness and environmentally friendly celebrations across the city during the upcoming Durga Puja festivities.
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A special general meeting was held at the GMC’s municipal office in Betkuchi on Friday, October 9, to discuss the competition and finalise its guidelines.
Additional Commissioner Pranab Dutta Goswami, presented the rules for the competition, stating that all participating puja committees must maintain cleanliness at their pandals and surrounding areas. The use of dustbins will be mandatory, and all participating committees will receive certificates.
GMC Mayor Mrigen Sarania said the competition is part of the civic body's efforts to maintain cleanliness across Guwahati. He urged all puja committees to cooperate in ensuring a clean and environmentally friendly festive season.
Under the guidelines, every puja committee must install four dustbins in green, blue, red and either black or yellow at its puja venue. The use of plastic and intoxicating substances will be prohibited at puja sites. Committees must also ensure that their pandals and surrounding areas remain clean throughout the celebrations. Organising Durga Puja on roads will not be permitted.
The competition will run from October 16 to October 21, 2026. GMC has also urged puja committees to incorporate light purple into their decorations in connection with the kopou phool, Assam’s state flower.
A total of 175 puja committees will be selected for awards. Of these, 25 committees will receive first prizes, 50 will receive second prizes and 100 will receive third prizes. The awards will be distributed during Kali Puja.
A main committee under the supervision of an additional commissioner will inspect participating puja venues and assess their cleanliness based on the prescribed guidelines.
Gmc has instructed that Interested puja committees must submit their applications to the GMC office by October 13, 2026.
GMC has appealed to all puja committees and residents to actively participate in the initiative to make Guwahati cleaner, more attractive and environmentally friendly. The meeting was attended by the GMC Deputy Mayor, councillors, representatives of Durga Puja committees, and GMC officials and employees.
