Action against only 145 illegal cell towers
MUMBAI: Even as the BMC is finally set to change the policy framed to monitor mobile towers, data revealed by the civic body show that action has been taken against only 145 illegal towers over the past few years. A collective fine of Rs 20,000 has been levied for the same.
If cleared in the civic improvements committee early next week, illegal mobile towers will not be regularized under the new plan.
The BMC had been going slow against illegal mobile towers, said sources, because of a letter that the state had sent about two years ago. “In the letter, the state had urged the BMC not to take stern action on the mobile towers as destroying them would adversely affect the mobile connectivity ,” said an official.
The letter also stated that the civic body should go slow in the matter until the new guidelines were finalized.
Under the existing policy, illegal towers can be regularized on the payment of a fee. There are approximately 4,200 towers in the city, of which 1,628 are illegal. According to the proposed policy , the number and location of mobile towers in residential areas will be restricted.
Civic officials say there is still no proof to show the actual damage caused by mobile towers. They are awaiting opinions of the state and MPCB in this regard.