Hike penalty for illegal mobile towers

Despite receiving several complaints about illegal mobile towers mushrooming in the city, the municipal corporation has penalised the errant firms in only 145 cases.

Despite receiving several complaints about illegal mobile towers mushrooming in the city, the municipal corporation has penalised the errant firms in only 145 cases.

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According to the data tabled in the civic improvements committee, the municipal corporation has collected only Rs 24,708 in fines.

Shiv Sena corporator Manmohan Chonkar suggested: "The municipal corporation needs to increase the amount charged as penalty because charging a paltry sum will not discourage the network providers."

Corporators also demanded that the municipal corporation study the health hazards of the radiations emitted from these towers. Municipal commissioner Swadheen Kshatriya, in a written reply, said action would be taken against the network providers if health hazards caused by the towers are proved.

He added that in 2007, the state government had issued directives that neither mobile towers can be demolished nor the material seized because it would affect communication.

"A white paper, including all these issues, should be submitted to the improvements committee," said Congress corporator Vinod Shekhar.