The Hindu 14.12.2013
Illegal cell towers: telecom companies get 2-day reprieve
After initiating a crackdown on unauthorised telecommunication infrastructure towers, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) on Friday allowed two more days to telecom companies to seek necessary approvals.
The civic body had on Thursday disconnected power supply to nearly 240 unauthorised towers, following which representatives of telecom companies made a plea, seeking time to complete the necessary formalities as mandated by GO Ms.380. “They promised to apply and seek the required approvals in the next two days, and we gave them time,” GHMC Additional Commissioner (Planning) D. Ronald Rose said.
According to officials, a database prepared by the civic body three years ago says there are 3,500 towers in the city. The number could have crossed the 6,000-mark by now. However, the number of towers which have approval has not crossed the double-digit mark, they added.
“We have been after them all these days and even served notices, asking them to seek necessary approvals. We held meetings and also provided them with an online portal to facilitate filing of details. Still, there has been no prompt response from cell tower companies,” Mr. Rose said.
The officials said citizens had made complaints about unauthorised towers in various parts of the city, and that their grievances were regularly received during the Prajavani programme.
According to official orders, installation of telecommunication towers, which include ground-based towers, roof-top towers and poles, cell phone towers, antenna fixtures and fabricated antenna should follow the prescribed guidelines, and permission for installing them should be sought from the local municipal authority. The local body commissioner is authorised to take necessary action for failure of compliance.
We have been after them all these days and even served notices, asking them to seek necessary approvals. We held meetings and also provided them with an online portal to facilitate filing of details. Still, there has been no prompt response from cell tower companies.
D. Ronald Rose, Additional Commissioner, GHMC (Planning) GHMC has already disconnected power supply to 240 unauthorised towers.
