May 11: The MCD on Tuesday decided to resume sealing of cellular phone towers in the capital in violation of the norms specified by the corporation. Meanwhile, the opposition Congress alleged that the BJP-ruled MCD was not serious about taking action against the guilty companies and was dilly dallying on the issue.
Municipal commissioner K.S. Mehra, in the weekly review committee, directed all the zonal deputy commissioners to initiate action against the companies for setting up for illegal cellular phone towers.
The MCD said that there 5,364 towers out of which 2,412 had the requisite permission. However, 2,952 did not fulfil the necessary conditions. Show cause notices have been issued for 1,532 illegal towers. The MCD said that it will issue notices to the concerned companies for remaining 1,420 towers. The corporation had sealed 300 towers out of which 40 had been de-sealed on fulfilment of the criteria. The sealing of towers will take place subject to availability of the police force.
Leader of Opposition in the MCD, Jai Kishan Sharma, however, alleged that the BJP-ruled MCD did not want to take action against the companies for setting up illegal phone towers. “There are at least 70 towers on school buildings, hospitals and dangerous buildings. We want them to be removed on an urgent basis,” said Mr Sharma.