The mobile phone tower which has been erected at Simpal in Sancoale. Alvaro Colaco
CORTALIM
Residents of Simpal in Sancoale woke up to a rude shock on Wednesday after they found a mobile phone tower erected in their vicinity.
In a clandestine midnight operation, officials of the tower company used a crane to erect the tower. But what surprised the residents is the fact that there was no approval from the Sancoale panchayat, and the tower has been erected in the National Highway setback, which is merely 1.5 metres from NH-17.
While Sancoale Sarpanch Ramakant Borkar who visited the site stated that the panchayat had not issued any NOC to the tower company, while Assistant Engineer (NH) Vincent D'Souza informed that the PWD had not issued any NOC to erect the tower at that site.
“The PWD has in-principle has given its nod to mobile phone companies for erecting towers on its land. However, no NOC has been granted. In fact, we had written to the mobile tower company to conduct a joint inspection before any clearance can be issued,” D'Souza told 'The Goan', adding that he would inform his superiors about the development.
Santan Vaz, a local resident, said that the move to erect the tower during the midnight hours shows the audacity of the tower company.
“I was told by the officials when they were laying the foundation that they wanted to install cameras,” Vaz alleged.
Another resident, Sonu Singh, said that the installation work had started after midnight. “When I questioned them, they replied that they were installing a high mast lamp,” Singh added.
Former sarpanch Jamina Pereira said that villagers will not tolerate such things and would ensure that the tower is dismantled.
