In preparation for the Central Vista relocation, Central Government offices have cleared over 676 lakh sq ft of space—equivalent to 1,000 football fields—since 2021 under the Swachhta campaign. Backed by digital transformation, the drive has generated over ₹3,100 crore from scrap sales and significantly reduced file pendency.
Massive Cleanup Ahead of Central Vista Shift
As the Central Government prepares to relocate to the new Central Vista complex, a massive cleanup operation is reshaping its office landscape. Since 2021, government departments have cleared 676.25 lakh sq ft of office space—an area nearly equivalent to 1,000 FIFA-standard football fields, according to data accessed by The Tribune.
The cleanup is part of a broader Swachhta campaign to make government offices cleaner, leaner, and more digitally efficient. The drive has also produced tangible financial results, with scrap sales earning ₹3,163.97 crore over four years.
From Paper Piles to Digital Files
At the heart of the transformation is a shift to digital record-keeping. “This has become possible by changing old practices, weeding out old files and papers and adopting digital technology,” said V Srinivas, Secretary of the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances. “This shift represents Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mandate of institutionalising cleanliness by reducing pendency in government.”
Since 2021, nearly 136 lakh old files have been closed or weeded out. Meanwhile, e-files have surged by 1,975%, skyrocketing from just 2 lakh in 2014 to over 41 lakh today—a cornerstone of the government’s push for transparency and speed.
Streamlining Governance: Fewer Levels, Faster Action
Another major reform in the government’s administrative push is limiting the number of clearance levels a file must go through. In line with Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) instructions, most ministries now operate at four levels or fewer, with only two departments—Fertilisers (5.01) and Drinking Water and Sanitation (5.39)—exceeding the benchmark.
“The idea is to achieve flatter organisations by going digital,” Srinivas explained, adding that the ultimate goal is to enable citizen-centric, functional workspaces where the public can engage with the government more efficiently.
Clean Office Model Goes Beyond Delhi
The impact of this clean-office model is not limited to the Centre. The Centre’s cleanliness portal is now being adopted by several states, with Maharashtra and Haryana leading the way in replicating the initiative.
With the Central Vista shift on the horizon, the campaign is not just about aesthetics or space—it’s about modernising government operations, cutting red tape, and reinforcing accountability. The Swachhta campaign has evolved into a symbol of digital governance and administrative reform, with long-term implications for how the Indian government works.
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