Dungarpur, a small town in Rajasthan, has consistently made its mark as one of the cleanest cities in India. In the Sanitation Survey of 2023, Dungarpur was crowned the cleanest city in Rajasthan for the sixth consecutive time in the category of cities with a population of less than one lakh. While the nation often praises Indore for its sanitation achievements, Dungarpur has emerged as a formidable competitor. The city’s transformation began eight years ago thanks to the initiative taken by FINISH Society. And one among the good samiratans at the heart of this remarkable journey was Dinesh Bhoi, a retired sanitary inspector of Dungarpur Nagar Palika.
Dinesh Bhoi retired two years ago after serving diligently for several years, but his legacy continues to inspire the town’s sanitation efforts. His contribution to making Dungarpur the cleanest city in Rajasthan is still fondly remembered by the town’s residents and officials alike. Known for his dedication, Dinesh Bhoi led a small yet determined team of sanitation workers, proving that a capable leader can achieve great victories, even with limited resources, reveals Lakhan Pawar, FINISH Society’s Project Manager.
His work ethic was unmatched. Dinesh Bhoi was often seen energizing his sanitation team as early as 4 AM and continuing until late into the night. He was committed to solving his team’s issues and ensuring they had all the necessary resources. His leadership wasn’t confined to motivating workers alone; he fought at the municipal level for better working conditions, stricter fines for littering, and spreading awareness about cleanliness and hygiene, including eliminating open defecation and implementing source segregation of waste.
His tireless efforts paved the way for Dungarpur’s success in the sanitation rankings. The city’s transformation began under his guidance, and the results are evident today. Due to his leadership and the hard work of sanitation workers, Dungarpur has been recognized six times as the cleanest city in Rajasthan in its category.
Even after his retirement, Dinesh Bhoi’s impact remains profound. The current municipal chairman, Amritlal Kalasua, and sanitary inspector, Ramsingh Rajwat, still consult him on important sanitation decisions. His strategies and approach continue to guide Dungarpur as it maintains its reputation as one of the cleanest cities in Rajasthan. Dinesh Bhoi’s leadership has left an indelible mark on Dungarpur’s journey toward cleanliness, making him a true unsung hero of the city.
Tracing Dungarpur’s transformation into the cleanest city, one has to quote a recent media report which noted that Dungarpur has become the only city in the state to achieve national-level awards in cleanliness this year. Under the Swachh Bharat Mission, ‘Dungarpur has earned the ODF, ODF Plus, and ODF Double Plus titles four, three, and three times, respectively, even without a modern sewerage system.’ Leaving behind many major cities in Rajasthan, Dungarpur has achieved a significant feat in the cleanliness survey of the state.

“With the spirit of ‘Cleanliness is Service,’ Dungarpur district has secured the first position in the cleanliness survey among districts with a population of less than one lakh,” tweeted the Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma.

However, one cannot overlook K.K. Gupta, the former president of the municipal council, who laid the foundation for cleanliness in Dungarpur. He led the way by demonstrating dedication, determination, and commitment to bring Dungarpur to this position.
During his tenure, sending a photo of any dirty drain would earn the sender a reward. He connected citizens from every category to the cleanliness movement, creating remarkable enthusiasm among the residents. Gupta has earned numerous national and international awards for cleanliness in Dungarpur and is recognised as the cleanliness brand ambassador and sponsor in the state.