47% cell towers in Delhi City are Unauthorized

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Instead, Cellular Operators' Association of India had moved the Delhi high court against the order and, last April, the court struck down MCD's decision to increase the installation fee and its right to decide the site. However , the court also made it clear that the operators can't install towers without the civic agencies' permission. But according to MCD, of the 5,656 mobile towers installed across the city till February 2012, 2,656 (47%) are operating without its permission.

Officials say the new guidelines were issued following complaints from resident welfare associations. The cash-strapped MCD had also increased the installation fee from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh for every five years.

"The policy was revised to limit the number of towers in residential colonies. Under the new policy, the first preference was given to municipal and government buildings (barring hospitals and schools), and then to nonresidential areas, near drains, vacant land. But not many operators have applied for permission in the last one year," said Yogender Chandolia , chairman of standing committee, North Delhi Municipal Corporation.

47% cell towers in city unauthorized - Times Of India