The installation of 4G mobile towers is again mired in controversywith Congress alleging that city roads have been damaged due to laying of cables for this project. The damaged roads are causing traffic snarls and also inconvenience
to people, the party has said.In a letter written to the municipal commissioner, BMC opposition leader and Congress corporator Devendra Amberkar has said that Reliance Jio Infocomm, which has been installing the 4G towers, are not following rules for this works.
“The company was supposed to use micro-tunneling method for laying cables for the installation of 4G towers. But instead it has been digging roads and footpaths everywhere for these works. As there are no barricades for digging works, people are facing lot of inconvenience. The damaged roads are also causing traffic congestion. The company has not taken permission from the traffic department for these works. At several places, it has not reinstated the roads after laying the cables,” said Mr Amberkar.
The civic body has allowed Reliance Jio Infocomm, a subsidiary of Reliance Industries, to set up 4G mobile towers at more than 1,160 places in the city. However, at several places, local residents have strongly opposed the installation.
Mr Amberkar has asked the municipal commissioner to take stringent action against the company and its contractors for violating rules in these works.
However, Reliance Jio Infocomm has refuted the allegations, saying it is following government’s norms and guidelines. “All towers in Mumbai have been erected and in future will be erected as per approved policies and guidelines of department of telecommunications (DOT) and policies, guidelines and approvals of municipal corporation and local authorities,” said a company spokesperson.
