PANAJI
Despite a recent outcry over poor internet connectivity for online classes and work from home practices, setting up mobile towers has been a major hurdle for authorities in the State in the last six years.
Believe it or not, the PWD has granted permissions to 137 mobile towers to be set up at various places across the State since 2015, but only 36 mobile towers have actually been erected. Many applications for towers are approved in June and July, sources told The Goan.
“The process to set up these mobile towers is still in process but at many places, this process has been abandoned by mobile companies due to various reasons and opposition by people is one major reason,” said a source.
“As a result of a delay in setting up mobile towers, connectivity has suffered at many places.”
An official with a mobile company confirmed that they have been facing problems in setting up mobile towers mainly due to opposition from locals.
Some of the mobile operators had taken permission between 2015 and 2017, but have not been able to erect mobile towers.
Companies that have been given permission to erect towers include Reliance Jio and D’Mello Telecom Pvt Limited.
Following complaints over poor internet connectivity for online classes, some telecom service providers got permission in June to erect towers in Sattari area. However, towers in these areas are yet to be set up and as a result, students continue to face problems.
According to sources, towers have been approved in Cumbarjua, St Cruz, Curtorim, Nuvem, Navelim, Margao, Cuncolim, Banaulim, Cortalim, Vasco, Dhargal, Porvorim, Saligao, Sanvordem, Ponda, Priol and Marcaim.
Incidentally, remote areas in Sanguem and Quepem talukas do not find mention in the approved list of towers.
