AMC yet to collect ₹17 crore rent from mobile phone companies for 2,200 towers

Mobile companies have been operating 2,200 towers across Ahmedabad, however, Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has failed to recover ₹17 crore these companies owe in rent.

A standing committee meeting was held to discuss implementation of rules under the Telecommunications Act, 2023, but officials were unable to provide clarity on the outstanding rent for underground cables laid by telecom firms. They also failed to specify the exact dues owed to AMC in the form of rent and taxes, or even the total number of mobile towers in Ahmedabad and the revenue they generated.

AMC has now decided to implement the regulations framed by the central government under the new Act. As part of this, permission will be granted to set up mobile towers at designated locations, replacing the earlier practice of laying underground cables.

A proposal was also approved to allow construction of mobile tower foundations and superstructures across the municipal limits as part of telecom infrastructure development.

According to a deputy municipal commissioner, the previous system charged 40% of the jantri value as rent for a 20-year period. Under the revised framework, rent will now be levied annually at 15% of the jantri rate.