Karnataka government has issued strict instructions to telecom companies making it mandatory to obtain licenses for telecom towers within three months.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with officials to discuss issues related to telecom towers, Deputy Chief Minister Dr G Parameshwara said that the state will strictly enforce Karnataka Installation of new Telecommunication Infrastructure Towers Regulations, 2015.

“There was no license issuing mechanism to install telecom towers so far. Telecom companies have erected towers in the absence of proper guidelines. New guidelines have been framed keeping public health in view,” the Minister said.

According to an estimate, over 30,000 OFC and telecom towers are erected across Karnataka. There are 6,766 towers in Bengaluru alone. The newly introduced rules prohibits installation of telecom towers within a distance of 50 metres from educational institutions, hospitals and religious buildings. Towers that are already installed within 50 metres distance, should be relocated after obtaining license from the authorities within next three months.

The government has fixed a license fee. The fee in Bengaluru city is Rs 1 lakh per tower, where as it is Rs 35,000 in smaller cities. The DCM has directed the officials to issue licenses to applicants within 15 days of them submitting documents.

A committee comprising the deputy commissioner, Zilla Panchayat CEO, health officer, pollution controlling officer and other government appointed members will be constituted in each district to look into telecom tower related issues.