MCD okays cell phone tower policy, lists strict norms

Cell phone operators in Delhi will now have to shell out more to install towers in the city. Currently, the operators pay Rs 1 lakh to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to install a tower.

Cell phone operators in Delhi will now have to shell out more to install towers in the city. Currently, the operators pay Rs 1 lakh to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to install a tower.

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This rate has been increased between Rs 3 and 5 lakh depending on how many cellular providers are sharing one tower.

This increase is among the norms that form part of the new cellular tower policy the MCD House approved on Tuesday.

These new rates will apply to legal towers when they apply for renewal as well.

The civic body will restrict installing towers on houses in residential areas and has given other options such as government buildings, empty plots and covered nallahs.

“The MCD commissioner will have the right to withdraw the sanction to any mobile tower at any time. We are also planning to propose third-party insurance for the mobile towers,” said a senior MCD official who didn’t wish to be named.

Some of the new norms that have been included in the policy are to make the owner of the building a co-applicant while seeking permission to erect a cell tower, taking permission from head of department (building) and Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs).

In case of group housing societies, permission will have to be sought from all the occupants of the building.

Moreover, permission will have to be renewed every five years and preference will be given to allowing installation of towers on municipal buildings, vacant plots in residential areas among others.

Last month, the civic agency had given 30 days to cell phone operators to apply for regularising illegal cell phone towers failing which they could be sealed.

The civic body had also directed that mobile towers installed on schools, hospitals and dispensaries would be removed.