Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch Swachh Bharat Abhiyan today on the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

The ambitious drive includes sweeping, removal of garbage, debris and unauthorised encroachments from the roads, markets and residential places.

The campaign is aimed at making India a clean country by 2019, the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Before launching the campaign, Mr Modi will visit Rajghat to pay floral tributes to Father of the Nation.

President Pranab Mukherjee has also urged people to turn cleanliness into a national passion and ensure cleanliness everywhere.

In his message, the President called upon people to ensure hygiene, waste management and sanitation across the country to make Swachh Bharat Abhiyan a success.

About 31 lakh Central government employees working across the country, will take a pledge of cleanliness today in various public functions.

AIR Correspondent adds that cleanliness drive is on in Delhi and other parts of the country.