SMC seals 33 more illegal cellphone towers

SURAT: Continuing with its action against illegal mobile phone towers, the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) sealed another 33 and issued notices to 13 mobile companies with regard to their 300 structures for violation of rules here on Tuesday. The SMC had sealed seven towers in Rander zone on Monday.
The SMC initiated the action against illegal mobile towers after a report was published in this regard in the Times of India issue of February 2.
The SMC asked its seven zone in-charges to take stern action in the matter. The SMC first issued notices to the mobile phone service provider companies and when they failed to comply with the rules, their properties were sealed.
The SMC on Tuesday sealed four more towers in Rander zone. In Katargam zone, it sealed six towers and issued notices on 23. In Udhna, one tower was sealed and 70 notices were issued. In Central zone, 11 towers were sealed and 74 were issued notices.
Nine were sealed in Athwa zone and 70 towers were issued notices and in Limbayat zone two were sealed and 86 were issued notices.
"These notices are final. The mobile companies have been given seven days time to respond. If they don't reply or take steps to obtain licences, further action will be taken against them," said Jivan Patel, director of planning (DOP), SMC.
Licences from the local governing body is mandatory before setting up of mobile towers. The structures should have stability certificates from the competent authorities.
The structures without building use permission can have mobile towers but for them the fee is Rs 25,000 instead of Rs 10,000.