State may issue norms on cell towers……..Sanjeev Shivadekar
Mumbai: The state government will issue guidelines for installation of mobile telephone towers if the need arises, minister of state for urban development Hassan
Mushrif said in the assembly on Tuesday. He added that the Maharashtra government has undertaken a study to ascertain whether mobile towers are a health hazard.
The minister was replying to a question raised by Vivek Patil, PWP MLA.
Patil wanted to know about the government action against mobile firms that have installed towers in Navi Mumbai without permission.
In a written reply, the CM said of the 510 towers in Navi Mumbai and surroundings, only 188 had the necessary clearance from the government, while the remaining were installed without permission.
Of these 322 unauthorised towers, 28 have been removed, 13 are regularised and 53 towers are being considered for regularisation. Another 135 mobile towers are being removed. However, the decision on the remaining 93 towers is pending as the Supreme Court has directed the state government to maintain status quo.
Mushrif said there were reports in a section of the media claiming that the towers could lead to health problems. Subsequently, the state has decided to conduct a study on the issue.