Karnataka government bans mobile towers in the vicinity of schools and hospitals

BENGALURU: To prevent the mushrooming of mobile towers, Karnataka has brought the Telecommunication Infrastructure Towers Regulations 2019 into effect.

Urban development minister UT Khader, while announcing this had said, "The regulations came into effect as of May 29. All new mobile towers will have to follow these regulations while existing ones will have to be shifted if any violation is found. Telecom companies will get three months to move towers, failing which action will be initiated against them," said the minister.

The government will be issuing building approvals online in all the urban local bodies (ULBs).

An automated building plan approval system had been launched by the municipal corporation, but due to technical issues, it's under scrutiny.

Khader said that, from June 11 automatic approval will be provided for all buildings, including layouts in ULBs, after the chief minister HD Kumaraswamy launches the system.

"For 30x40 and 30x50 sites, people can self-certify their building plans and submit documents online. This will help them get instant approval," said Khader.