Visakhapatnam: Jio towers in park rankle citizens

Visakhapatnam: Residents of Peda Jalaripeta and members of Fishermen’s Youth Welfare Association have raised concerns about the unauthorised erection of two telecom towers by Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd. in the Vuda Park. They claim that the erection of towers is against government policy and the company did not obtain prior approval from the municipal authorities. 

According to the association, the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation has not given any permission to set up the cell phone towers here. Moreover, the Supreme Court had earlier given several judgements against long term commercial establishments in public parks.

The state government had also issued GO 146 in 2015 restricting erection of telecommunication infrastructure towers in all parks, playgrounds and public open spaces. However, the VMRDA (formerly Vuda) has recently given its nod to the company to take possession of the open space at Boat Club area in Vuda Park for installation of the two towers.

The Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) has fixed a monthly licence rent of Rs 25,824, apart from other fees and caution deposits. It allotted 200 sq mt. (2,152 sq. ft.) at two different locations in Vuda Park for the erection of two towers. 

The residents of Peda Jalaripeta and regular visitors to the Vuda Park are objecting to the erection of the towers as they were worried about the impact on their health and other risks associated with cell tower radiation. They question the urban authorities’ decision to benefit a commercial entity while putting public health at stake.

Fishermen’s Youth Welfare Association members have written letters to the district collector, GVMC commissioner and VMRDA commissioner to stop the cell phone tower erection works immediately to safeguard the wellbeing of the locals. So far, there was no response from the district administration.