The 4G rollout of Reliance Jio has hit a roadblock in Mumbai city: the company wants to build telecom towers in public spaces such as gardens, and this is being vehemently opposed by citizens.

Sources in the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) said Reliance Jio already has permissions to set up towers in 437 parks and playgrounds, owned by MCGM.

The general body of MCGM, Standing Committee and Improvements Committee have already passed resolutions, providing the permissions. A telecom entrepreneur, who did not wish to be named, told BusinessLine that coverage for 4G frequencies in India (Band 40) in 2.3 to 2.4 GHz has poor propagation. It can lead to poor connectivity within buildings. Therefore, depending upon terrain and geography, the number of towers required for proper 4G network may be twice or thrice than required for 900MHz (2G), the entrepreneur said.

In the eastern suburb of Tilak Nagar, residents have organised protests against the company as it wants to set up towers [called Ground Base Masts in technical parlance], on the famous Sahyadri club football ground.

Retired footballer Peter Fernandes said the residents are concerned about losing a part of the ground and radiation from the towers. The residents say MCGM plans show Reliance Jio is planning towers at six locations in Tilak Nagar.

There is fear that the radiation from the towers could be carcinogenic. “Today people at least have open space in the form of ground for play and relaxation; tomorrow the radiation could impact our lives,” he said.

Advocate Nitin Nikam, who organised a protest march at the ground, said they will ask MCGM to cancel the permissions; and if that does not work then the residents may move court.

5,000 towers

Member of Parliament and senior BJP leader Kirit Somaiya said that not only Reliance Jio but four other telecom companies are keen to set up towers in playgrounds. Reliance Jio initially sought permissions for 3,600 towers, which included even private gardens. Now, these companies have started work with 5,000 4G Towers in 1,365 gardens.

“I’m going to meet the Commissioner of MCGM and ask him to stop the work immediately. Otherwise, I’m going to sit on a satyagraha,” Somaiya said.

Mumbai has few public spaces and that should not be exploited for commercial purposes. Open spaces near large storm water drains should be explored for setting up the towers. However, the telecom companies want the easy way out, he said.

Reliance Jio spokesperson, in an email to BusinessLine , said that laying of optical fibre and setting up a tower network across Mumbai is part of the pan-India broadband plan. Some of the towers are being installed in unused portions of the public gardens and playgrounds, which have been approved by local authorities.

 The battery operated towers will occupy very little space, that too without any back up DG sets or other accessories. The towers are designed to rigorous national standards and will conform to all statutory requirements, including EMF radiation limits. There are no health or other concerns due to the towers, the company said.

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