Things can only get better

It had all the typical ailments: A growing population, traffic congestion and pollution, a sewerage issue and water crisis. But it embraced JNNURM wholeheartedly and the results show. Of the 34 projects sanctioned under JNNURM, the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) has completed 11, and expects to finish 10 by the end of the current year. Surat's water supply is 147 lpcd (litres per capita per day), way ahead of Bangalore (88), Indore (73) and Nashik (91).

On the overall coverage front, 86.6 per cent of the total properties are supplied with water, which is far higher than Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Bhopal. More than 81 per cent of the habitable area has a comprehensive sewerage system, with treatment capacity having gone up from 700 mld (million litres per day) in 2006 to 1,100 mld now. Traffic congestion and air pollution were threatening to overwhelm Surat, with over 15 lakh vehicles registered at the regional transport office, as against the city's population of nearly 40 lakh.

Studies indicated that the number of daily passenger trips would reach about 85 lakh by 2031. So, in 2007-08, SMC prepared a comprehensive mobility plan for the development of road network, multi-level parking and bus rapid transit system, or BRTS, with an investment of Rs 10,000 crore. Says S. Aparna, Commissioner, SMC: "By the end of 2011, about 1.5-2 lakh passengers will be able to use BRTS corridors daily. This is expected to rise to 6 lakh by 2021."

Surat has shown that financial sustainability based on property tax and user charges can go a long way in boosting a civic body's development plans. From Rs 180 crore in 2006-07, the total collection of property tax and user charges has grown to Rs 219.71 crore in 2009-10. "In 2007-08, the corporation introduced area-based property tax system along with user charges in areas such as water supply, sewerage and solid waste management. Property tax now covers 99 per cent of eligible units," Aparna says.

The city's population has been growing sharply (from 15 lakh in 1991, to an estimated 40 lakh by 2011). This had bred slums and unhygienic conditions. An integrated slum rehabilitation policy will make it a slum-free city by 2012. Experts think that, following the bubonic plague of 1994, the city has learnt its lessons much better and earlier than its counterparts.

"What makes Surat stand out from others are its strong citizen support and result-oriented municipal corporation. Community participation plays a vital role in the quick implementation of decisions taken by the corporation," says Aparna. Also, the administrative staff have a professional attitude.

With JNNURM in place, the lack of resources may no longer be an excuse for other cities to replicate the Surat model.

SHINING OUTCOMES

• Focus on property tax, user charges gives stability.
• Bus rapid transit system to carry 2 lakh a day by 2011.
• Master plan to make it slum-free city by 2012.
• Water supply to citizens better than Bangalore.
• Sewerage system now covers 81% of habitable area.