BMC slammed over 2702 illegal mobile towers

While questioning how 2,702 illegal mobile towers could be allowed to operate despite objections in 2007-08, questions were raised on BMC’s failure to consider health issues caused by radiation in the vicinity of mobile towers.

The report points out that land for such towers was sanctioned by the BMC. The process of sanctioning mobile towers began in 1995. Following public health concerns the state government, along with the Centre and the ministry of telecommunication had drawn up the guidelines. There are also observations on mobile towers from the courts which mandate every state government and its municipal corporation to adhere to the guidelines. The committee mentions that arguments by the BMC that it did not receive the directives from state government issued in 2007 was not convincing and cannot be a pretext for not taking adequate safeguards against illegal towers. The report questions the BMC for spelling out how it could overlook an issue that had triggered panic among citizens leading them to shift homes to avoid health issues caused due to tower radiation.