Special panel to look into cell tower radiation violations

The BMC will set up a special cell to look into cell tower radiation violations in the city, said Additional Municipal Commissioner Aseem Gupta at the civic general body meeting on Friday.

Municipal councillors also demanded that a survey of all mobile towers in the city be undertaken to see if they are complying with the Central government norms.

"According to the current mobile tower policy formulated by the Centre, mobile towers should be set up at a minimum distance of three to four km from each other. We will form a special committee to look into the matter and will see if the policy needs to be changed. If it is found that the current policy poses health hazards, the special council will file a PIL in the Bombay High Court on behalf of the citizens," said Gupta.

"It must be noted that these towers cannot be set up without permission from the housing societies who have to give the network service companies a no-objection certificate," he added.

BJP corporator Vinod Shelar, who raised the issue, said: "Cellphone towers have raised the incidence of cancer in certain areas. In the vicinity of Raheja hospital, there are 10 cellphone towers. The radiations from these areas have damaged the flora and fauna."

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