Department of Military Affairs Wraps Up Sixth Special Campaign: ₹89.68 Crore Generated and Lakhs of Square Feet Freed

The Department of Military Affairs (DMA), alongside all military establishments under its administrative purview, has successfully concluded the sixth edition of the nationwide Special Campaign. Conducted \textensively from October 2 to October 31, 2026, the mega-drive witnessed enthusiastic, active participation from the Defence Forces and the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS). This year's campaign marked another milestone in the government's persistent push toward institutionalizing cleanliness, streamlining operational workflows, reducing bureaucratic pendency, and optimizing the utilization of public space across military installations in India.

As governance in the defense sector increasingly pivots toward efficiency, transparency, and environmental sustainability, initiatives of this scale hold profound significance. From remote forward-posting units to sprawling Southern and Western Command headquarters, the armed forces demonstrated that rigorous combat readiness goes hand in hand with proactive housekeeping, green governance, and responsive public service delivery.

Key Highlights & Major Announcements

The sixth edition of the Special Campaign yielded monumental quantitative outcomes across clean-up drives, waste monetization, and record management. Below is a structured summary of the key achievements:

• Extensive Cleanliness Drives: A massive clean-up operation was successfully undertaken across 8,507 campaign sites identified meticulously by the Department of Military Affairs.
• Regulatory Simplification: Various organizations and military departments successfully simplified a total of 324 rules and processes to fast-track administrative approvals.
• Revenue Generation via Scrap Disposal: Systematic disposal and sale of redundant scrap, including hazardous electronic waste (e-waste), generated a staggering revenue of approximately ₹89.68 crore for the exchequer.
• Record Management & Space Optimization: Out of 5,28,443 physical files reviewed, 16,837 redundant files were systematically weeded out. This freed up an impressive 3,53,291 square feet of physical space, paving the way for infrastructural improvement and creative alternate utilization.
• Grievance Redressal: The campaign prioritized citizen-centric governance by disposing of 2,905 public grievances and 466 public grievance appeals.
• Parliamentary Responsiveness: Officials promptly responded to 91 Member of Parliament (MP) references and four Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) references.

Innovative Green Practices and Engineering Marvels

Beyond routine cleanliness and file-clearing, the 2026 Special Campaign witnessed ground-breaking eco-friendly innovations spearheaded by various commands of the Defence Forces. These initiatives serve as exemplary models of sustainable resource management and technological ingenuity within the military ecosystem.

Water Security at IAF Station Tambaram

Demonstrating a deep commitment to water conservation, the Indian Air Force Station in Tambaram partnered with a specialized non-governmental organization to undertake the massive rejuvenation of nine heritage shallow wells. These wells, estimated to be between 60 to 80 years old, had fallen into disuse and neglect over decades. Through targeted desilting, structural restoration, and ecological revival, the project has unlocked an additional water yield of one lakh litres per day. This remarkable achievement independently meets roughly 11.1 percent of the station's total daily water requirement, substantially easing local municipal water burdens.

Biomass Energy at INS Shivaji

In another notable technological collaboration, INS Shivaji—operating under the Southern Naval Command—teamed up with the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mumbai to install an advanced biomass-based gasifier steam cooking system. Engineered with a robust foliage processing capacity of one tonne, this system sustainably converts local organic waste and campus foliage into clean thermal energy for cooking. This dual-purpose initiative addresses green waste disposal while drastically reducing the carbon footprint of naval mess operations.

The Defence Forces and HQ IDS have once again set a national benchmark by blending absolute operational readiness with exemplary environmental stewardship, financial prudence, and responsive administrative governance.

Significance & National Impact

The institutionalization of the Special Campaign within the Ministry of Defence highlights a paradigm shift in how public institutions manage physical assets, administrative workflows, and citizen grievances. By weeding out over 16,000 obsolete files and reclaiming more than 3.5 lakh square feet of prime real estate, the DMA has demonstrated how internal housekeeping directly enhances institutional productivity.

Furthermore, generating nearly ₹90 crore from scrap and e-waste disposal showcases a zero-waste economic model that turns administrative liabilities into fiscal assets. When defense installations adopt circular economy principles—such as the biomass steam cookers at INS Shivaji or groundwater revival at Tambaram—they send a powerful message to civilian sectors regarding ecological responsibility and sustainable development.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What was the timeframe for the sixth edition of the Special Campaign by the Department of Military Affairs?

The sixth edition of the Special Campaign was conducted nationwide from October 2 to October 31, 2026, with active participation from all establishments under the DMA, Defence Forces, and HQ IDS.

2. How much revenue was generated through scrap disposal during the campaign?

The systematic disposal and sale of scrap materials, including electronic waste (e-waste), generated a revenue of approximately ₹89.68 crore.

3. How much physical space was freed up through the record management initiative?

By reviewing over 5.28 lakh physical files and weeding out redundant paperwork, the department successfully freed up 3,53,291 square feet of physical space for better infrastructural utilization.

4. What unique eco-friendly initiatives were highlighted during the campaign?

Key innovations included the revival of 9 heritage wells at IAF Station Tambaram (yielding 1 lakh litres of water daily) and the installation of a biomass-based gasifier steam cooking system at INS Shivaji in collaboration with IIT Mumbai.

Official Source & Verification

This article is grounded on the official press release issued by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Government of India (Release ID: 2334772, Ministry of Defence). Access the official document: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2334772&lang=1.