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Only 105 of 670 applications for cell towers cleared by BMC [Mumbai] [Times of India](Times of India Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) MUMBAI: The city needs 670 more mobile towers to cater to the growing number of smartphone users, but just a sixth of applications from cell tower companies have been cleared by the BMC so far. Cellular operators say if the new towers are not sanctioned soon, Mumbaikars' connectivity woes will only worsen. The number of smartphone users in Mumbai has increased from 8.3 million in 2012 to 12 million in 2013, but the number of cell tower sites in the city is 4,776. Of the 670 proposals for new cell towers, only 105 have been given clearance by the civic authorities. Cell companies say they can't make projections for building towers because of the "stalemate" on the remaining applications. "We have regular problems with the BMC over our applications for new cell tower sites. We provide the mandatory NOCs from housing society members, structural audit certificates for the building on which the towers will come up and also environmental clearances along with our licences. Despite this, we have to wait for applications to be cleared as the new towers can't come up without the civic NOC," said a cellular operator. Worse, radiation fears have driven many residential societies to seek to cancel leases for cell towers. "Due to the scare of radiation, some housing societies don't want to renew permissions for cell tower sites in their premises. If this happens, it will increase call drops," an industry source said. However, an official from the BMC's building proposal department clarified that the civic body has not deliberately delayed permissions. "It gets delayed if a company has not given necessary documents or has dues pending with housing societies," said deputy chief engineer Vinod Chitore, who is in charge of the western suburbs. The city's mobile connectivity problems have worsened in the past few weeks, with many complaining about call drops and weak signals. Most mobile users lose connectivity in the Diva-Mumbra, Bhandup-Kanjur, Vikhroli-Ghatkopar and Vidyavihar-Kurla sections. Residents of Prabhadevi and Pratiksha Nagar in Sion have also complained of connectivity issues. At a restaurant in Mulund, patrons come out to answer calls. Anti-radiation activists said cellular operators can't introduce a cluster of antennae under the pretext of tackling call drops. "Most cell tower antennae are very close to high-rises, which is a major health hazard," an activist stated. TRAI sources said financial loss to customers who experience call drops is less as charges are levied up to the duration of the call (per second pulse). They said Mumbai had most smartphone users compared to Delhi (8.1 million in 2013). (c) 2014 Bennett, Coleman & Company Limited |