SURAT: The mobile service providers are in for a trouble in the city. The Surat Municipal Corporation ( SMC) has directed the heads of municipal zones to act tough against mobile companies for illegally operating 170 mobile towers.

Official sources said the seven municipal zones have been ordered to initiate action against the 170 mobile phone towers operating illegally from the residential, commercial and educational institution premises.

"Not a single mobile service provider has turned up in the last one week after notices were served for illegal operation of 170 mobile phone towers. However, we have asked the zonal chiefs of the seven municipal zones to take action against these mobile service providers," director of planning (DoP) J M Patel said.

The action has come after the issue was raised by member of standing committee Bhupendra Solanki at the general body meeting of the municipal corporation last week.

An inter-ministerial committee of the central government had recently called for revision of radiation norms to suit Indian conditions and environment. The committee members expressed serious concern over high-level of electromagnetic radiation from the mobile towers and handsets and called for imposing strict restriction on installation of mobile towers near high-density residential areas, school, playgrounds and hospitals.

Out of the 415 mobile phone towers erected in different parts of the city, about 170 towers are operating illegally without licences.

"The civic officers will fan out in the city after two days and will stop operations of the 170 mobile phone towers," a senior civic officer said.