The new regulatory guidelines to become effective from September 1
specifies that radiation from the mobile towers will be reduced to 1/10
of the present radiation. This means radiation from the mobile towers
will be reduced to 0.92 w/ sq. m (watt per square metre) from the
existing 92 w/sq. m.

“We are writing to the TRAI, local
authorities and the telecom companies to have a check on the radiation
from mobile towers”,” BMC commissioner Rajneesh Shrivastava said.
“Irrespective of whether the towers are legal or illegal, radiation from
every mobile tower will be thoroughly checked and then a certificate
will be issued for the same,” he added.

“We are doing this since
the corporations does not have staff trained to keep a check on the
radiation from the mobile towers,” the commissioner said.

This
decision was made to reduce harmful effects caused by the
electromagnetic field radiation from the mobile towers and mobile
phones.

“After this survey action would be taken against the
illegal mobile towers, the onus for which is always controversial,” the
commissioner said. “The illegal mobile towers in the city are definitely
harmful for the residents,” he added.

“After removing 58
illegal mobile towers in the city, presently there are 338 illegal
mobile towers remaining in the city,” Pramod Shukla, additional
commissioner, BMC said.

Status of mobile towers

Total towers in city: 637

Illegal towers: 338

Legal towers: 259

Dismantled: 58