The Times of India 17.09.2009
PCMC may act against 100 property owners
PUNE: The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) is contemplating action against approximately 100 property owners who have allowed telecom companies to erect towers without taking prior permission from the corporation.
In addition, the civic administration will undertake scrutiny of applications received from over 220 property owners for regularising the towers by paying the necessary charges.
As per last year's records, the PCMC has said that of the total 343 mobile towers in the city, only 17 have been erected with prior permission. The PCMC had initiated preliminary action against the remaining 326 unauthorised mobile towers by serving notices to the property owners. According to civic authorities, the notice period for regularisation of the towers by paying the stipulated charges had already ended.
On Tuesday, the civic authorities had said that action will be taken against all the unauthorised mobile tower owners. When contacted, officials from the building permission department said that over 220 property owners have submitted their applications for regularising the towers. As no application has been received from the remaining 100-odd property owners, the corporation is planning to take action against them, officials said.
Incidentally, in all the applications that have been received, the owners have stated that they would be paying charges as per old rates, and not the increased revised rates. The PCMC has not yet taken a decision on whether the old rates should be accepted.
Earlier, the PCMC in a joint drive with the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) had disconnected the power connection of three unauthorised mobile towers in the municipal limits on August 7. It had also sealed these mobile towers located in Kasarwadi and Phugewadi areas. This was the first time that the PCMC had taken a major action against such unauthorised structures.
In addition, the civic administration will undertake scrutiny of applications received from over 220 property owners for regularising the towers by paying the necessary charges.
As per last year's records, the PCMC has said that of the total 343 mobile towers in the city, only 17 have been erected with prior permission. The PCMC had initiated preliminary action against the remaining 326 unauthorised mobile towers by serving notices to the property owners. According to civic authorities, the notice period for regularisation of the towers by paying the stipulated charges had already ended.
On Tuesday, the civic authorities had said that action will be taken against all the unauthorised mobile tower owners. When contacted, officials from the building permission department said that over 220 property owners have submitted their applications for regularising the towers. As no application has been received from the remaining 100-odd property owners, the corporation is planning to take action against them, officials said.
Incidentally, in all the applications that have been received, the owners have stated that they would be paying charges as per old rates, and not the increased revised rates. The PCMC has not yet taken a decision on whether the old rates should be accepted.
Earlier, the PCMC in a joint drive with the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) had disconnected the power connection of three unauthorised mobile towers in the municipal limits on August 7. It had also sealed these mobile towers located in Kasarwadi and Phugewadi areas. This was the first time that the PCMC had taken a major action against such unauthorised structures.
