Taking note of growing citizen’s complaints about mobile towers, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to form a grievance redressal committee that will deal with people’s complaints about the hazards of mobile towers.
The decision to form a 15-member special grievance redressal committee was taken in a meeting between civic officials and anti-radiation activists. It will be headed by a top official like additional municipal commissioner and will consist of scientists, telecom department officials and representatives of non-government organisations. The committee will scrutinise people’s complaints about mobile towers and incorporate its findings in the new policy.
“As per the new DoT guidelines, it is required to form state and district-level panels to deal with grievances of residents on mobile towers and radiation issue,” said BJP corporator Vinod Shelar, who has been advocating for a fixed policy for mobile towers in the city.
The BMC is in the process of formulating a policy about giving permission to mobile towers in the city. However, its formation has been delayed due to the new recommendations suggested by the DoT, said civic officials.
In the meeting, anti-radiation activists raised their objections about DoT guidelines, which allows six mobile towers on one building. “This move is detrimental to the main aim of reducing radiation levels caused by mobile towers,” said Mr Shelar.
According to the BMC’s proposed mobile policy, 70 per cent of residents’ permission is required to install mobile tower on a building. However, activists have demanded approval from all the residents shou-ld be made compulsory.