State mulling new mobile tower policy: Khader

The State government is mulling on a new mobile tower policy to check radiation effects on human health, said Minister for Urban Development and Housing U T Khader.

Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Khader said the proposed policy would have a set of guidelines for installing mobile towers in urban areas. "There will be a few restriction for erecting them in residential areas and near school premises," he said.

A committee under the chairmanship of deputy chief minister Dr G Parameshwar has prepared a draft policy. The final notification will be issued after the committee takes a call, he said.

"If a tower is being installed on a building, then building owner should modify the building plan and get approval from local authorities for the same," said the minister.

Ban on fish

Khader said that state cabinet meeting on November 19 would take a call on Goa banning the transportation of fish from Karnataka.

"Enforcing the ban without any proof of formalin content in fish transported from Karnataka is not justified. I have spoken to Karnataka fisheries minister and asked to solve the issue to ensure that our fishermen do not face any injustice. I have suggested fisheries minister think of banning the transportation of fish from Goa to Karnataka if the problem persists," said Khader.

To a query on allowing vehicular movement on Sampaje ghat, he said the vehicles likely to be an allowed before the end of December.

"About 80 per cent road restoration work has been completed," he said.