Maharashtra govt asked to align tower policy with DoT guidelines

The reason cited is to avoid mobile services in the state getting adversely impacted

The Centre has asked the Maharashtra government to align its tower policy with DoT guidelines to avoid mobile services in the state getting adversely impacted.

"It has been pointed out by the TERM cell as well as by various telecom service providers that many clauses/provisions including the ones for installing the cellular BTS in schools /hospitals premises...In the said draft policy are at variance," Telecom Secretary M F Farooqui said in a letter to J S Saharia, Chief Secretary, Maharashtra.

Farooqui's letter said the issue of safe distance from the base tower stations (BTS or mobile tower) instead of safe radiation exposure levels in the proposed policy is at variance and "even contrary to the relevant provisions of the DoT guidelines".

Under the DoT guidelines, emissions from telecom antenna mounted on mobile towers should be equivalent to frequency range in which the antenna operates. An antenna operating in the frequency range of 900 Mhz will be allowed to emit 900 watt of energy per 2,000 square meter of area.

This means radiation exposure at ground level will be 0.45 watt per square meter.

The Telecom Secretary said that DoT has already taken care of technical aspects related to radiation from mobile tower and most of these technical aspects like frequency allocations for transmitting mobile signal, registration of tower companies are central subject.

"You may please appreciate that such deviant provisions have the potential to adversely impact the development of telecom sector in addition to their detrimental impact on quality of mobile telecom services being provided to the citizens of the state," Farooqui said.

He also shared a report of committee of experts on radiation set up after on order by the Allahabad High Court. The panel had said there is "no conclusive evidence" about the dangers of radiation from mobile towers and that greater efforts should be made to allay fears caused by misinformation.