Question : ILLEGAL CELLPHONE TOWER IN NDMC AREA

(a) whether the Government are aware that twelve illegal cellphone towers are functioning in the area of New Delhi Municipal Council and out of them six are in the sensitive Lutyens Bungalow Zone (LBZ);

(b) if so, the details of these towers and the reasons for which these are functioning;

(c) whether NDMC had decided to demolish them in May this year;

(d) if so, the reasons for not demolishing these by the NDMC so far;

(e) the time by which these are likely to be demolished; and

(f) the punitive action taken by the Government against the officials of NDMC/ cellphone companies?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (SHRI HARIN PATHAK)

(a)&(b): Yes, Sir. The Cellular and Telecom operators have installed twelve (12) cellphone towers for networking purposes on bungalows/residential buildings in Lutyen`s Bungalow Zone (LBZ) in violation of the guidelines issues by the Delhi Urban Arts Commission.

(c)to(f): The notices were duly given to the proprietors concerned for demolishing/ dismantling of these towers. However, no further action has been taken as some of the Cellular/Telecom operators submitted representations to the New Delhi Municipal Council to reconsider the matter on the ground of technical compulsion that if the towers are not placed at suitable locations, they will face networking problems. There is, therefore, no ground to take any punitive action against any official of the NDMC.