The
New Indian Express: Puducherry: Wednesday, 24 September 2014.
Leaders
cutting across partylines on Tuesday sought regulation of the cell phone towers
erected without permission in Puducherry and
expressed fear over the high radiation from the towers that could be a health hazard.
Tabling a
call attention motion, AIADMK Legislator
A Anbazhagan drew the attention of the government over the
installation of 347 cell phone towers in the Puducherry
region without permission (as per the information obtained through RTI from
Puducherry Planning Authority) .
Replying to
this, Chief Minister N Rangasamy said the matter was sub-judice. However, he
added, notice was issued to cell phone operators on the unauthorised cell phone towers by the
Pondicherry Planning Authority (PPA)
in October 2013.
Following the
issue of notice, the service providers
challenged it in court, which directed the cell phone operators to send a
showcause notice to all those who had erected towers and get a reply from
service providers, pass orders and then report to the court. The court also
directed not to give effect on orders of the PPA until the next hearing and to
maintain status quo.
Further, he
assured to strictly follow the new inclusive guidelines of DOT for installation of mobile towers in
processing applications while seeking approval for installation of new mobile
towers. These guidelines issued in August 2013 to ensure public concerns
on safety and human health were
addressed in the best possible ways.
Anbazhagan
said the towers have come up in residential areas and alleged that several towers have not been erected as per the
guidelines of the Department of Telecommunications, posing a health risk.
Despite lodging complaints, no action has been taken, he said, adding that the
towers were being installed on the roofs of houses. There was no certificate
given by the PWD either on whether the building could take the load of the
tower and pointed out that if the tower collapsed, it would pose danger to
people.
He even
questioned the government on how the power connections were given by the
Electricity Department to set up such unauthorised towers.
.JPG)
.JPG)
