Aizawl: Mizoram urban development and poverty alleviation minister Zodintluanga has thanked the people of Biate for their relentless efforts in putting the town in limelight in terms of cleanliness.

Biate in Mizoram's Serchhip district bagged the "best city" award under Innovation and Best Practices - Northeast zone in the Swachh Survekshan 2018 survey, whose results were declared by Union minister for housing and urban affairs Hardeep Singh Puri on Wednesday.

"It is encouraging as well as challenging to learn that Biate has made it to the top 4,303 cleanest towns in India. It is a milestone and fillip for more development of Mizoram," Zodintluanga said.

Urban development and poverty alleviation secretary C. Vanlalramsanga also congratulated the people of Biate and said Mizoram has ample opportunity to become one of the cleanest states in the country. Biate was adjudged the cleanest town in Mizoram earlier this year.

The town began its cleanliness drive way back in 1956, after the formation of the Mizo Children's Association. Once a week, members of the association make use of their leisure time to clean the streets. However, the insurgency problem had halted the cleanliness campaign. It was revived in 2003 and the cleanliness drive is carried out not only by children but also the entire populace. Biate is also one of the first open defecation-free towns in Mizoram.