MCG fails to take action against mobile towers

District town planning dept passes the buck, civic body seeks legal opinion.

Despite the mushrooming of illegal mobile phone towers in residential areas that pose a health hazard, the Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon (MCG) has failed to take any action.

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MCG commissioner Ashok Sangwan said legal opinion had been sought in the matter.

“We have sought legal options from the district attorney on such towers and action will be taken against the operators. We will not allow illegal towers to operate in the municipal limits,” said Sangwan.

Most of these towers in private localities were granted permission by the district town planning (DTP) enforcement department. The two government agencies have locked horns over taking action in areas previously under the DTP.

The DTP is no longer authorised to remove such illegal installations as the MCG has now been conferred the power under the Haryana Municipal Corporation Act, 1994.

“According to the Act, the corporation now has the authority to give permission for setting up mobile towers or act against illegal operators,” said district town planner (enforcement) Anil Dabas.

“We have stopped giving permission to new towers and are looking into court cases, pending applications and other matters. I know the operators have moved the court,” said a senior MCG official, adding that action is likely to be initiated from April 28.

Residents have long been demanding removal of mobile towers from their colonies.