The Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry launches a beauty contest for cities across the country

In order to promote and reward the transformative efforts made to build attractive, inventive, and inclusive public places, the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry said on Thursday that it has established a "beauty contest" for cities around the nation.

Municipal wards and public areas will be evaluated online based on criteria including accessibility, facilities, activities, aesthetics, and ecology.

The tournament would honour the city' most stunning wards and public areas. The most stunning public spaces in the cities under four categories—waterfronts, green spaces, tourist/heritage spaces, and market/commercial places—would first be felicitated at the state level, the ministry said in a statement. The shortlisted entries would then be considered for national level awards. Selected wards would be honoured at the city and state levels.

The ministry has made the website citybeautycompetition.in available for registration and information on the competition. On July 15, the deadline for submitting submissions, including pictures and presentations, will expire.

According to the government, the competition would enhance peer learning between states and cities and would also promote heritage and culture, sustainable communities, and ecological protection.