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