PMC’s notices to illegal mobile towers after locals protest

NAVI MUMBAI: The Panvel Municipal Council has issued notices to residential societies and mobile phone service providers, warning them not to erect mobile towers without permission. The move came after residents protested the danger to the public health due to radiation from these towers.
Shivkumar Kanti, a resident, said, “Several mobile towers have been put up in Panvel but the authorities have not taken any action.A majority of these towers are in the residential areas, posing risk to public health.” Mobile service providers often offer handsome consideration to residential societies for installing their towers.
“The office bearers often accept the providers’ terms, without studying the adverse effect on the public health due to the radiation,” said another resident Akash Mhatre. Such illegal mobile towers also cause loss of revenue to the civic exchequer.
Even though the service providers take NOC from residential societies, they don’t obtain permission from PMC, said sources. “PMC must remove all illegal towers without wasting time,” said Shiv Sena councillor Prathamesh Soman.
Chief officer, Mangesh Chitale, said that they are verifying the facts. “Notices have been issued to concerned parties and we are waiting for their reply. If their reply is not satisfactory we will go ahead with suitable action, according to the guidelines given by the high court,” he added.