Question : GUIDELINES FOR INSTALLATION OF TOWERS

(a) the norms/guidelines laid down for installation of mobile towers;

(b) whether a large number of mobile towers are installed near residential areas, public buildings, schools, etc.;

(c) if so, the details of such towers, State/UT/Company-wise and the steps taken by the Government to remove these towers from such areas and also the action taken against the telecom operators for violation of norms in installation of such towers;

(d) whether the Government has the records of the mobile towers installed without prior clearance from concerned bodies and local authorities in various parts of the country and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(e) whether any compensation is provided/proposed to be provided to the persons affected by mobile radiation and if so, the details thereof and if not, the measures taken to minimize and neutralize the impact of radiation from mobile towers?

THE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI KAPIL SIBAL)

(a) to (e) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT TO BE LAID ON THE TABLE OF THE LOK SABHA IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 127 FOR 6TH MARCH, 2013 REGARDING “GUIDELINES FOR INSTALLATION OF TOWERS ”

(a) As per existing policy for installation of mobile towers, Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC) Wing of Department of Telecommunications (DoT) issues siting clearance for installation of mobile towers for each and every site from the point of view of interference with other wireless users, aviation hazards and obstruction to any other existing microwave links. The siting clearance is issued without prejudice to applicable bylaws, rules and regulation of local bodies such as State Government/Municipal Corporation/Gram Panchayat etc. Accordingly, before installation of tower, the telecom service provider has to obtain the necessary permission from the respective local bodies such as Municipal Corporation/ Gram Panchayat etc.

Further, DoT has issued a broad guideline for issue of clearances for installation of Mobile Towers and the same has been forwarded to the Chief Secretary of all the States on 23.08.2012.

(b) & (c) As per the broad guidelines issued by DoT regarding installation of mobile towers, no restriction has been imposed on installation of tower on specific buildings such as residential areas, public buildings, schools etc. However, it has been prescribed in the guideline that there shall be no nearby buildings right in front of the antenna with height comparable to the lowest antenna on tower at a distance threshold as specified below:

Sl No.	Number of	Building / Structure distance from the	Multiple antennas	antenna (safe distance) (in meters) 
1	2	35
2	4	45
3	6	55
4	8	65
5	10	70
6	12	75