Tower guzzling power? RTI reveals likely deals
Reported in timesofindia.indiatimes.com on 02 August 2012
Tower guzzling power? RTI reveals likely deals - The Times of India

MARGAO: In what can be an indicator of the "power guzzling" operations of the mobile towers, information obtained by a social activist, Savio Dias, through the RTI Act has revealed that one such tower located at Madel, Margao, has been consuming more than 11 times its sanctioned load of electricity.

Following inspection of the tower by the electricity department recently, it was observed that the connected load was 44,602 W as against the sanctioned load of just 4,000 W.

Following the disclosure, the electricity department has issued a show-cause notice to the mobile tower company for drawing power in excess of the sanctioned load.
"We have issued them a notice and they have to reply within seven days. If we do not receive satisfactory reply from them, we will have to disconnect their power supply. They will then have to apply for a fresh connection for the additional load. Punitive action will be taken against the company as per the provisions of the law," assistant executive engineer Sandip Prabhudesai said.
Dias, who has been relentlessly pursuing the issue of radiation from mobile towers, is not convinced though. Stating that it was a clear case of subletting of power by the mobile companies, Dias accused the electricity department of "going slow" on the "power guzzling" mobile towers.
"If a common man inadvertently draws power in an unauthorized manner, the electricity department loses no time in disconnecting the power supply. Shouldn't the same rule apply to mobile companies too?" Dias demanded to know.
Pointing out that Fatorda has been witnessing frequent power fluctuations, Dias held the electricity department responsible for allowing the mobile companies to draw huge amount of unauthorized power while letting the common man suffer. The RTI information has also disclosed that there are 21 mobile towers installed in Margao and Fatorda.