156 additional towers to boost mobile phone connectivity in Noida

The Noida Authority will process applications from mobile phone operators before allowing them to install new mobile phone towers

After identifying 156 sites for erecting signal towers, the Noida authority on Wednesday, through a public notice, asked mobile phone service providers to submit applications if they require a site.

The authority has earmarked sites in green belts of sectors 12, 16, 20, 21, 25, 55 and 56, among others were the new mobile towers will be installed. (Virendra Singh Gosain/HT PHOTO)

Once the operators submit the applications, the authority will process them and allow installation as per the revised mobile tower policy.

“We have identified 156 sites for the installation of mobile signal reception towers. As per the revised policy, the authority has decided to allow the erection of towers in green belts across the city. We have decided to allow installation of reception towers in green belts so that residents do not face any problem of radiation and are also not troubled by poor network reception in the absence of an adequate number of towers,” Rakesh Kumar Mishra, an additional chief executive officer of Noida authority, said.

The authority has earmarked sites in green belts of sectors 12, 16, 20, 21, 25, 55 and 56, among others.

The authority had made the changes after service providers had warned that shifting the towers from residential areas will cause network problems. The 2013 policy was aimed at relocating all towers out of residential areas but the authority later decided to allow installation of towers in green belts and non-residential buildings.

Read I Noida to amend cell phone tower policy

According to the most recent changes, there will be no compromise on the structural strength where the towers are to be installed. Also, the changes in the policy allow telecommunication companies to erect towers on the roofs of hospital buildings and inside parks and green belts, which was not allowed before.

“Once the service providers apply, we will process the applications. If the operators require more than the 156 sites, we will address the demand accordingly,” Mishra said.