MANGALURU: Karnataka minister for urban development and housing, U T Khader said here on Tuesday that the government was all set for implementation of state policy on mobile towers. Mobile phone operators will have to adhere to the new policy, which mandates them to follow various guidelines before and after the installation of network towers in the state.Through the policy, the government will restrict operators from installing towers within a 50-meter radius of schools, religious centres, hospitals and other public places where people frequent in large numbers, said Khader.The government has also finalised fees to be paid by the operators for the installation of towers in the state. While the fee for towers in BBMP limits will be Rs one lakh per year, it will be Rs 50,000 per annum for all city corporations in the state. Fee to install towers in city municipal councils will be Rs 35,000 per year, Rs 25,000 in town municipal councils, Rs 20,000 in taluk panchayats and Rs 15,000 per year in gram panchayats.In addition to the annual fee, operators will also have to pay annual revenue to the respective local administrations. The rules will be applicable for ‘towers on wheels’ which the operators install on special occasions, Khader said.“The state did not have a clear policy with regard to the installation of mobile phone towers. We have received several complaints from public with regard to its harmful aspects. Hence, the government in coordination with various NGOs and Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has drafted a policy. Very soon the policy will be notified. All operators will have to register their towers by paying the fee with the respective local administrations. Once the policy is notified, operators will be given three months’ time to register their existing towers. The government will take action to remove the towers in case the operators do not fall in line within the prescribed period,” the minister said.Prior to the installation of towers, operators will also have to obtain certificate from recognised structural engineers. Meanwhile, committees at district and state levels will be formed to look into various complaints with regard to the issue. While the deputy commissioners will head the district level committees, a principal secretary will be heading the state level committee, he added.

Stay updated with all the Bangalore Latest News headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.