VISAKHAPATNAM: Some urban development practices in Durban in South Africa can be adopted here for improving civic services and administration, according to Municipal Commissioner N. Srikant, who was part of the seven-member team that visited Johannesburg and Durban recently.

``The cities are considered to have implemented the most successful urban development plans in the developing world by the World Bank. Some of the progressive laws may be adopted in the State. In both the cities, the `greater civic body' concept is implemented merging 40 to 50 municipalities and spread over more than 2,000 sq. km. In spite of that, land and property rates are low, compared with those prevailing in Visakhapatnam,'' Mr. Srikant told a press conference here on Tuesday.

Novel practices

In the ring-fencing practice followed in the two cities, revenue earned from a particular sector was re-invested in the same sector and sanitation was cross-subsidised. In comparison, the drinking water capacity in Visakhapatnam remained the same for more than two decades at 16 mgd (million gallons daily) and only after a crisis in 2002, augmentation plans were drawn up, he pointed out.

The two South African cities had developed a geographic information system to monitor closely the increase in houses, road conditions, etc., and for tax revision, he said and added that the GIS data was being acquired for Visakhapatnam through National Remote Sensing Agency.

Proper town planning

"In a short span after becoming independent, the two cities have advanced democratic practices. They strictly follow a quasi-judicial procedure for sanctioning housing plans by taking a month's time. Interference by political leaders is unheard of. Integrated monthly billing is followed for property tax, power and water supply. Water supply is for 24 hours. However, the quantum of power and water required to meet basic needs is provided free to all the households with individual domestic connections. Anything above the stipulated quantities is billed,'' Mr. Srikant said.

Tax compliance was 93 per cent and defaulters were dealt with sternly and properties attached for non-payment, he said. There were slabs of property tax.

Slum upgradation

The Commissioner said that Durban had much bigger slums than Visakhapatnam. However, a better upgradation policy was being implemented. Before construction of a colony, roads, underground drainage, parks and water supply were created.

``Thrice the amount spent on housing is earmarked for infrastructure. Hundred per cent subsidised housing is provided and fingerprints of beneficiaries are taken on the basis of which penal provisions are invoked for misuse. Low income houses are clubbed with those of other incomes to raise aspirational levels.''

In the central business district in Durban old buildings were being pulled down at regular intervals and "densified'' by increasing the height to facilitate easy transportation.

Mr. Srikant said parking and some of the other features on the beach road in Durban, which had a close topographical resemblance to Visakhapatnam, could be implemented during "our Beach Road's expansion.''

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