NDMC issues guidelines to install communication towers in Lutyens' Delhi

The installation of towers or antennae should be in a manner that they do not disturb the heritage and aesthetic aspects of the New Delhi area, said the document.

The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has issued a 37-point guideline giving detailed rules and regulations that need to be followed while installing communication towers in the Lutyens' Delhi, officials said on Friday.

In a document issued by the Council on Thursday, the civic body laid down the NDMC policy regarding the installation of communication towers to bring "uniformity" in the area.

The installation of towers or antennae should be in a manner that they do not disturb the heritage and aesthetic aspects of the New Delhi area, the document mentioned.

No unauthorised Cell On Wheel (COW) will be allowed in the NDMC area, it said.

The NDMC issues the policy for installation of mobile communication towers and related infrastructure to bring uniformity, based on the advisory guidelines issued by the Department of Telecommunication and by considering all connected factors, an official said.

The antennae and towers, including appurtenances and equipment, should be located at the rear end of the plot and not be visible from the main entrance and road, the document said, adding no diesel generator sets are allowed at the tower site to cater to the power requirements of the antenna.

NDMC will e-auction the sites for installation of COWs in the NDMC area on designated places on approved rates initially for three years, which may be extended further for two years, they added.

The mobile towers installed without permission post the issuance of this policy will be regularised as per rules along with a penalty of Rs 10,000 per month from the date of existence of the tower, they said.

One-time permission charge of Rs 3 lakh for 5 years for installation or renewal of a new tower, officials said.

For cellular towers existing before the issue of this policy, the telecom company and service provider may apply for regularisation within 30 days of notification of this policy by paying arrears from the date of their existence failing which NDMC will take action against those towers as per policy

Installations of towers and antennas, either ground-based or on the rooftop, will not be permitted within Central Vista, however, if necessary, a committee will decide the issue on a case-to-case basis.

The committee will be chaired by NDMC Chairperson with members to be co-opted from Central Vista Committee

Similarly, permission to install towers or antennae on the campus of NDMC schools including Navyug Schools and buildings of hospitals and dispensaries will not be given.

"However, in case there is a technical requirement for installation on these buildings, the matter shall be referred to the Chairperson NDMC for seeking exemption on a case-to-case basis," the document mentioned.

For heritage-listed buildings, a no objection certificate from the heritage conservative committee is also required and for the buildings within a radius of 300 metres from ASI monuments, a NOC from the National Monument Authority is required.

The multiplicity of towers needs to be avoided and the use of existing towers optimised by accommodating at least three operators for which they are designed and as per guidelines and amended by the Government of India from time to time, the document said.