Indian Express 18.06.2010
MC to issue notices to erring telecom companies
Express News Service Tags : corporation, Mobile towers Posted: Fri Jun 18 2010, 03:41 hrs
Chandigarh: The Municipal Corporation would be issuing notices to the mobile companies that have installed towers atop community centres. The issue would be taken up for discussion in the Finance and Contract Committee of the civic body.In 2008, the civic body had issued notices to the mobile companies asking them to remove towers within 15 days. However, after that there was no follow-up.
The installation of mobile towers has led to damage of community centres in some sectors. Cracks had developed in the buildings. Even residents were opposed to the installation of towers as these were in close proximity to the residential areas.
Mayor Anu Chatrath had recently asked for a detailed report of the community centres where towers are installed.
Chatrath says, “Discussion on the issue would be held in the next F&CC meeting. Notices would be issued to the mobile companies. The mobile towers that are causing damage to the community centres.”
The civic body is also in the process of compiling a report about the condition of community centres. Teams from MC led by Brig K S Chandpuri (Retd) have visited almost all community centres in different sectors and has found that some community centres were in a deplorable state. There was a lack of basic facilities at many places. The lawns were unkempt and maintenance was lacking. Adequate furniture was not available.
Councillors have time and again raised the issue that while the proposals for renovation of some community centres was passed a year back or in cases more than that the renovation has not taken place. Brig Chandpuri says that a visit to the community centres has given them an idea of what is lacking. Once the report is complete it would give a framework for the upgrade that is required
