Rules for Installation of mobile towers in GDA

GHAZIABAD: Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) has finalized rules for installation of mobile towers in the city. The authority has stated that installation of mobile towers would be allowed only on open areas and parks.

For installation on any other properties, permission from the GDA board would be mandatory. No Objection Certificate (NoC) from RWA would be mandatory, for installation of mobile towers in residential areas.However, NoCs from public works department, central public works department or IIT and similar institutions would also be valid. In case of plotted development residential areas, a NoC from local RWA would not be necessary. However according to the source, no towers will be allowed around education and health facilities.

The committee will also conduct a regular radiation check on the existing mobile towers every month and if any tower which flouts norms will be immediately sealed. Officials are also looking to rope in the Department of Telecommunication (DoT) for the monthly checking of mobile towers. The issues related to mobile tower installation were discussed on January 13 meeting attended by authority officials, RWA members, representatives from Cellular Operators’ Association of India and DoT.

“In case of complaints by the Apartment Owners’ Association or by any person, a scrutiny would be done on a priority basis and those found emitting excess radiation would be sealed and regulatory body would also be appraised about the instance for imposition of penalty” said a senior GDA official.

The base of the tower should be 3 metres above in the case of mobile tower installation on a terrace. Further, the tower room should be constructed within 60 square metre area as per building by-laws. It is also made mandatory to provide a structural safety certificate from a structural engineer who is registered member of Council of Architecture.

In June, 2010, GDA had proposed to sealing mobile towers on various properties, including commercial, residential, hospitals, school buildings. Nearly 25 mobile towers were sealed in Rajendra Nagar, Kaushambi, Indirapuram, Govindpuram, Patel Nagar, Lohiya Nagar and Shalimar Garden. Though sources, the city has an estimated 800 mobile towers.

The recent protests is by residents in Vaishali where the authority later decided to seal a mobile tower installed atop a hospital. Similarly, residents of a high rise in Indirapuram had put up black flags on their balconies to stop installation of a mobile tower on their building.