Visakhapatnam: Visakhapatnam, which outscored all other Indian cities in the citizen feedback component of Swachh Survekshan 2018, is lagging behind eight other cities this time.About 53,000 Vizagites sent their responses by January 31, the last day for the residents of the city to provide their feedback for Swachh Survekshan 2019.Lucknow garnered the highest number of responses (3.56 lakh) followed by Agra with about 2.86 lakh responses. They are followed by Kanpur (2.76 lakh), Greater Hyderabad (1.31 lakh), Indore (0.91 lakh), etc.Citizens’ feedback forms a crucial part of the survey as citizens’ feedback and utilisation of Swachhata App carry 1,250 marks or 25% weightage out of the total 5000 marks.About 3.16 lakh people from Andhra Pradesh participated in the survey by providing their feedback about the cleanliness of their cities and towns. About 46,000 residents of Vijayawada had submitted their responses, followed by Tirupati (36,343 responses).As part of the revised Swachh Survekshan guidelines, the GVMC has rated itself a 2-star on a seven star scale. The star rating is a prerequisite for the Swachh Survekshan 2019 and it has a 20% weightage in the survey.From creating videos and setting up hoardings across the city on Swachh Bharat Mission, Swachh Survekshan and the citizen feedback components, the civic body has left no stone unturned towards attaining the highest number of responses from the residents of the city and make them actively take part in the survey. Apart from the GVMC officials, Swachh Visakha brand ambassadors also conducted several programmes at various institutions to create awareness about the survey.A GVMC health wing official said that the limited number of days for SS 2019 might be the reason for the decline in the number of responses. “Last year, it continued till March,” said the official.

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