Mobile Towers: Karnataka Government To Roll Out Environment-Friendly Policy Within Three Months, Says Minister

Aiming to curb the negative impact of mobile towers on the environment and human beings, Ministry of Urban Development and Housing, Government of Karnataka, has announced that a new policy will be brought into effect in the state within three months’ time.

U T Khader, Minister in the Karnataka Cabinet, said that registration with the local authorities will be made mandatory for those who plan to set up new mobile towers. Property tax has to be paid and the owners of the land have to be notified about the same.

If the tower is constructed on top of a building, approval of a recognised structural engineer will be mandatory. The supply of power to the generators should be done with noise cancellation. Another requirement is that the towers must be placed at least 50 metres away from institutions such as hospitals, schools and places of worship, Deccan Herald reported.

In order to keep an eye on the towers, redress committees at the district and state levels will be established. The Secretary, Urban Affairs, will be spearheading the state-level committees and the district committees will be overlooked by the deputy commissioners. About 26,000 towers are currently in the state.

The new policy, once in effect, will be applicable to existing and new structures.