Published 1 November 2026 by the Govindam Retreat team. Based on reports in ETV Bharat and Dainik Navajyoti.
In the Jaipur walled city, the municipal corporation ran "Operation Clean Sweep 2.0" on the night of Saturday, 31 October 2026, ahead of Diwali. About 2,500 sanitation workers cleaned the parkota's main markets, roads and inner lanes, ETV Bharat and Dainik Navajyoti reported on 1 November. Mayor Sunil Kothari swept the road himself at Badi Chaupar.
What happened during Operation Clean Sweep 2.0?
The drive began at midnight on Saturday and ran through the night, Dainik Navajyoti reported. Navajyoti put the effort at about 2,500 sanitation workers and 1,000 resources. Crews worked through the walled city's main bazaars, roads and inner lanes.
ETV Bharat reported that machinery, dumpers and road sweeping machines worked alongside the crews. By its count, about 2,000 tonnes of waste were collected in roughly five hours and sent for disposal. Mayor Sunil Kothari, Deputy Mayor Saroj Kanwar, Commissioner Om Kasera, officials and councillors were on the streets. At Badi Chaupar the mayor and councillors picked up brooms themselves.
Why did the corporation clean the old city at night?
Commissioner Om Kasera told Dainik Navajyoti that daytime traffic and crowds in the bazaars make thorough cleaning hard. Working at night let crews clean without disturbing shoppers. Mayor Kothari gave ETV Bharat the same reason: with fewer vehicles on the road, sweepers get more time and space in the lanes.
The mayor also described the work as extra effort for Diwali, separate from routine cleaning, with additional staff and resources.
Will people be fined for spitting or littering?
Not yet, but fines are possible. ETV Bharat reported that the mayor wants to start with awareness and public help. Walls were recently painted under the "Rang De Gulabi" campaign. If spitting and open urination keep spoiling them, he said, the corporation can fine people under its rules. Both he and the commissioner hinted at stricter action after Diwali.
Dainik Navajyoti added that a cleanliness marathon is planned soon, and youth will be brought in at ward level for awareness work.
What does the clean-up mean for visitors?
Visitors walking the Jaipur walled city markets before Diwali will find the main bazaars freshly swept. The commissioner asked people to put waste only in collection vehicles and not on the road. That request applies to tourists as much as residents.
The clean-up comes weeks after a warning about the area's heritage status. On 1 October 2026 the Rajasthan High Court said the Jaipur walled city could lose its UNESCO World Heritage status. It wants remedial action before December 2026, Outlook India reported. UNESCO inscribed the walled city in 2019 (UNESCO listing). The markets are also lighting up for the festival; see our report on Jaipur's Diwali 2026 market lights.
Where to eat near the walled city markets
This section is about our own restaurant and is separate from the news report above.
Govindam Retreat is a pure vegetarian restaurant near Govind Dev Ji Temple. It is on the first floor above All Rajasthan Shilp Gram Udyog, Rajamal Ka Talab Road, Gangori Bazaar, Jaipur 302002. Opening hours are 10 AM to 11 PM daily, phone +91 9929949258. The Rajasthani thali with dal baati churma is Rs 700 per person.
For more ideas on eating in the old city, read our Jaipur dining guide for tourists and the old city pure veg restaurant guide.
Sources
- ETV Bharat Rajasthan, 1 November 2026: Operation Clean Sweep 2.0 report
- Dainik Navajyoti, 1 November 2026: overnight clean-up in the parkota
- Outlook India, 1 October 2026: High Court warning on UNESCO status
- Photo: Badi Chaupar, Jaipur, by Raki_Man, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
