Illegal mobile towers removed By: Vibha Singh As the state government plans to intensify its action against illegal mobile towers, several housing societies in the city faced the heat in Mira road. As per official civic statistics, out of the total 450 mobile towers installed across the four different municipal wards of the twin-city, more than 200 towers were illegal and had no official permission under the standard norms and guidelines of government authorities. Residents claim that the authorities had turned a deaf ear to their pleas regarding precautionary measures to be undertaken by cellular operators against emission of radiation from towers. With the rise in number of cellular phones, there has been a corresponding rise in the number of towers installed by cellular services provider in order to offer better connectivity However, according to a town planning officer, nearly 240 illegal towers have been removed by the demolition squad. Mohan Nagare, resident of Shiv Shakti Apartment said, "You cannot do much if there is already a mobile tower on the roof of your own apartment or on a nearby building, except getting the building assessed by an engineer for safety.” And in case, it is found that the building is not capable of taking the load of the telecommunication towers, the structures should be relocated immediately to safeguard the lives of people. Meanwhile, another resident on the condition of anonymity said, "Hazards from radiation emitted from cellular towers can cause cancer and brain tumor, miscarriage and can lead to chronic insomnia. Person exposed to such radiation can suffer from fatigue, cataract and reduced mental alertness." Before the installation of a mobile tower on your roof top, make sure that the required safety measures have been taken. According to Sunil Kamble, an RTI official from Mira Road, "If these mobile towers were granted permission as per the rule, the MBMC coffers would have been filled from the crores of rupees collected from the service providers. Instead, several MBMC officials and local public representatives conniving with the companies are pocketing the amount now." Chief of demolition squad, Srikrishna Mohite said, “Apart from asking the power supply providers to disconnect supply to the illegal towers, we are in the process of sending notices under section 260 of the BPMC Act to the concerned cellular operators.” The state government officials said that apart from the civic authorities and police officials, society members responsible for erecting the illegal towers would also be punished. Residents and activists have welcomed the move. “The government should set a deadline to bring down the illegal towers,” said activist
Posted on: Mon, 10 Jun 2013 10:24:43 +0000
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