Citizens’ groups opposing permissions given to telecom firms to set up cellphone towers on residential buildings, schools and hospitals have asked the state to reveal the recommendations made by the committee set up to draft a policy to regulate such installations.
Residents say the recommendations by committee, formed by the government recently, are in favour of the cellphone companies.
While the details of the recommendations are unknown, media reports say they allow cellphone companies to install towers on co-operative building with the approval of only 67% of the residents.
Khar resident Dr Puja Sukhija, who is part of the group, said a recent Delhi high court order said that before installing a tower, cellphone companies need the approval of all residents of a building.
“How can you say such installations can be set up in Mumbai even it 33% of the residents oppose it? With such a rule, families living on the top floors may lose their right to protest,” said Sukhija who filed an FIR in April 2009 to thwart plans by her building’s managing committee to rent out the terrace to a cell tower.
Andheri resident Manoj Londhe, who is part of the Mobile Tower Affected People’s Grievance Forum, said, “We’ve submitted instances of people suffering from illnesses caused by cell towers in the vicinity.”
Though studies have yet to conclusively establish that radiations from such towers are harmful, activists say that there should be some regulations of such towers till there are studies to prove that such installations are safe.
Cellphone companies say there are no findings that link the towers with health issues.
Rajan Mathews, director general of the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), said, “We have started talking with the Maharashtra government on the issue. We are saying is that we should be ruled by facts, not by people who are technically not qualified to talk on the issue.”
Urban development secretary TC Benjamin, who met the residents on Tuesday, said: “As far as I know, there is no recommendation like the 67% that is being talked about.”
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