Question

Do you think
that imposing a penalty was the main reason for making Surat a model city?

Answer 1

Imposing a penalty played a key role in making Surat a model city. Increase in population and fast pace of urbanization caused the garbage to become more and drains to overflow. There was also an outbreak of plague that caused panic among the people. The citizens blamed the civic authorities of the municipalities and vice versa for lack of civic sense.  

Soon, the government realized that it was essential to have a penalty to get people to understand their role in keeping the city clean. A nominal amount of Rs50/- was charged for a littering offence. Each time a person was caught for littering, he had to pay double the amount of the previous time. Added to this, steps were taken to sweep the roads twice a day. Private sweepers were responsible for the cleanliness of the interiors of the town.  

Thus, within 18 months, Surat transformed from being a dirty city to one of the cleanest cities of the nation.

Answer 2

Imposing a penalty played a key role in making Surat a model city. Increase in population and fast pace of urbanization caused the garbage to become more and drains to overflow. ... Soon, the government realized that it was essential to have a penalty to get people to understand their role in keeping the city clean.