Accounts panel flays BMC for not acting against mobile towers

The public accounts committee (PAC) has passed severe strictures on the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for its failure to take action against unauthorised mobile towers in the city. Owing to the apathetic and irresponsible approach of civic body, illegal mobile towers in Mumbai are on rise, it has said.

In its report for the year 2015-16 presented to the sSate Legislature, the PAC has slammed the BMC saying that it is not serious about tackling the issue of unauthorised mobile towers. “Despite the high court (HC) directing to demolish illegal towers in the year 2007, the BMC has failed to take action due to which illegal towers are increasing in the city,” said the committee report.

The PAC has criticised double standards shown by BMC officials on the mobile towers issue. “The state government issued orders in 2007 to act against illegal mobile towers, but the BMC is claiming to have not received the orders. However, the same civic body quickly received the HC judgement in 2011 to stay demolition of towers and also acted on it immediately. It is totally unacceptable to the committee. The BMC collects property tax from the illegal towers, but when it comes to taking action against them, it gives the excuse of HC stay.” Along with property tax, the PAC has also recommended to collect repairing fines from the mobile companies.

The PAC has suggested ways to prevent unauthorised mobile towers in the city. “The BMC should move court against mobile companies if their towers are not erected according to director of telecommunications (DoT) guidelines. It should take strict action against such mobile companies and new towers should be sanctioned only after complying DoT guidelines,” said the report.

For taking action against unauthorised mobile towers, the BMC should put up its case strongly in the HC and bring to its notice the perils of illegal towers, said PAC. Along with property tax, repairing fine should also be collected from the mobile companies. According to the PAC, there are 2,702 illegal mobile towers in Mumbai.