NGO to file PIL in High Court

Kalka, May 2

The Shivalik Vikas Manch, an NGO, will file a public interest litigation (PIL) in the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking the removal of mobile towers installed in the residential areas of Panchkula district.

Informing this, VK Bansal, president of the Manch, said a legal notice regarding the removal of the above said mobile towers was served to the Director, Urban Local Bodies, Finance Commissioner and Commissioner, Panchkula Corporation, in January 2014. It was interpreted in the notice that most of the telecom companies had installed mobile towers in the residential areas of Panchkula district by violating the norms.

It was also emphasised in the notice that ultraviolet rays emanating from these towers were harmful for the health of the inhabitants of the residential areas. These towers were also harmful for the environment and wildlife creatures.

On May 14, 2011, the Haryana Government had issued a notification to obtain licences according to the norms regarding the installation of mobile towers. The companies were also told to ensure appropriate safety arrangements to protect people from ultraviolet rays emitting from the towers, but nothing happened till date.

The manch has submitted a memorandum to the Panchkula DC in this regard.— OC