The Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB) has issued over 400 show-cause notices to different building owners for permitting the installation of mobile phone towers without valid permission from the Board.The SCB is also planning to approach the Union Telecom Ministry to cancel the licences of mobile phone companies that have erected towers without the SCB’s approval.
Norms of the Ministry of Defence stipulate that telecom companies need the SCB’s permission to set up mobile towers in the area under its jurisdiction.
This is attributed to security concerns, given the presence of many defence establishments and training institutes, said Sujatha Gupta, Chief Executive Officer of the SCB.
However, neither the building owners nor the telecom firms have obtained permission from SCB. Apart from the reservations of the defence authorities, there have been complaints from residents who cited health concerns, claimed the SCB authorities.
The SCB authorities had conducted a special survey two months ago, to identify buildings that have installed mobile phone towers in its limits, said Sujatha Gupta
Around 100 buildings have been identified till date, and the owners were being issued show-cause notices. If they fail to respond to the notices, then action would be initiated against them, Ms. Gupta added.
Installation of mobile phone towers in the residential areas would not be permitted and those have already installed the towers would have to cough up advertisement tax, on par with that levied by the GHMC.
