Team Herald
VASCO: Bowing to pressure from residents, including the local MLA, Reliance Infocomm Limited (RIL) removed the foundation of the 4G mobile tower that was posing danger to the public from the median of the NH-17B at Shantinagar, Vasco. RIL officials visited the site in the afternoon with JCB machinery and cleared the site in no time.
“It is good that the agency, which installed the 4G tower without taking the locals into confidence, realised its mistake and removed even the tower foundation. But this could have happened only due to constant follow-ups by the media, including Herald. Agencies should first obtain permissions from the authorities, including local bodies, and even consult people before going ahead with their project,” said local MLA Carlos Almeida, who had citied security risks while objecting to the tower.
The Mormugao Municipal Council, while contending that the tower had been installed without its permission, has threatened to take action against RIL if the latter commits a similar act in its jurisdiction.
“We were surprised to see that a 4G tower had been installed without taking permission from the MMC. The tower was removed only after Herald constantly followed up the issue. In any case, we are sure that the agency will try to erect a 4G tower at another location. We will not allow 4G towers in any part of our jurisdiction as we are aware of the consequences of having mobile or WiFi towers,” said MMC Chairperson Lavina D’Souza.
