The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has issued a 37-point guideline giving detailed rules and regulations that need to be followed while installing communication towers in the Lutyens' Delhi. There are around 240 unauthorised cellular towers. Out of these, 140 are located on government buildings and the rest on private buildings.
In a document issued by the Council on Thursday, the civic body laid down the NDMC policy regarding the installation of communication towers to bring "uniformity" in the area.
According to the NDMC, there are four main aspects of the policy — regularisation of unauthorised towers, increase in one-time tower installation fee, renter fee for towers situated on NDMC buildings (no change), and process to install new towers.
The installation of towers or antennae should be in a manner that they do not disturb the heritage and aesthetic aspects of the New Delhi area, the document mentioned. No unauthorised Cell On Wheel (COW) will be allowed in the NDMC area, it said. Installations of towers and antennas, either ground-based or on the rooftop, will not be permitted within Central Vista, however, if necessary, a committee will decide the issue on a case-to-case basis. The committee will be chaired by NDMC Chairperson with members to be co-opted from Central Vista Committee.
The mobile towers installed without permission post issuance of this policy may be regularised as per rules along with a penalty of Rs 10,000 per month from the date of installation of the tower.For cellular towers existing before the issue of this policy, the telecom company and service provider may apply for regularisation within 30 days of notification of this Policy by paying arrears from the date of their existence.
The policy also increases the one-time permission charge from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 3 lakh for five years. No change has been introduced to the monthly licence fee. "A monthly licence fee of Rs. 292 per sq. Ft. Plus service tax subject to a minimum of Rs 50,000," the policy mentioned.
“The NDMC issues the policy for installation of mobile communication towers and related infrastructure to bring uniformity, based on the advisory guidelines issued by the Department of Telecommunication and by considering all connected factors,” an official said.
The antennae and towers, including appurtenances and equipment, should be located at the rear end of the plot and not be visible from the main entrance and road, the document said, adding no diesel generator sets are allowed at the tower site to cater to the power requirements of the antenna.
NDMC will e-auction the sites for installation of COWs in the NDMC area on designated places on approved rates initially for three years, which may be extended further for two years, they added.
For cellular towers existing before the issue of this policy, the telecom company and service provider may apply for regularisation within 30 days of notification of this policy by paying arrears from the date of their existence failing which NDMC will take action against those towers as per policy
Similarly, permission to install towers or antennae on the campus of NDMC schools including Navyug Schools and buildings of hospitals and dispensaries will not be given. "However, in case there is a technical requirement for installation on these buildings, the matter shall be referred to the Chairperson NDMC for seeking exemption on a case-to-case basis," the document mentioned.
