NMMC to come out with new mobile tower policy: Ganesh Naik

Faced with frequent complaints of high radiations emitted by mobile towers, guardian minister Ganesh Naik has directed NMMC to formulate a comprehensive mobile tower policy.

Naik’s instructions came during the janata darbar held on Thursday. Activist Jagdish Langi highlighted health problems citizens had to face due to the high level of radiations from mobile towers.

The number of mobile towers coming up on buildings is on the rise in Navi Mumbai. Nearly half of the towers have been erected without seeking permission of NMMC. “NMMC should come out with a comprehensive policy on mobile towers similar to hoarding and hawkers’ policy. This will help in regulating installation of mobile towers. Another advantage is there will be a record on the number of towers in the city and the revenue NMMC will get,” Naik added.

He said, “I feel such towers should ideally come up on properties identified by NMMC instead of residential buildings so that residents don’t face problems.”

Since 2011, NMMC has been permitting towers on the basis of recommendations made by DoT. As per the recommendation, it was considered where to erect a tower, what should be its distance from the residential areas, schools. Norms regarding direction of transmitters of towers and radiation levels were also taken into consideration.

NMMC faced problems as the state government did not have rules related to technical aspects like where to install a tower. The only rules pertaining to cell antennas are of administrative nature.

There are around 850 mobile towers, of which nearly half are unauthorised.
NMMC has started crackdown on illegal mobile towers after which cell operators had approached the Bombay high court and got a stay order. After the order was lifted, NMMC started its drive again. “We are working as per the law and have served notices to societies for regularisation of towers. We are also taking action against illegal towers,” said Aziz Shaikh, deputy civic chief who has been given additional charge of the anti-encroachment department.