Stricter radiation emission norms would be implemented starting today September 1 which would ensure that the mobile towers would lower their emissions considerably. If any mobile carriers violate the norms, emitting higher radiation levels, they would be subjected to a fine of Rs 5 lakh per tower. The absorption levels of the cellphones have also been made stricter but they makers have over an year to adjust to the present level.

Kapil Sibal, the Telecoms minister on Friday said that the new radiation exposure limits were 10 times more rigorous than those followed by over 90% of the countries in the world. The rules would be in effect starting Saturday.

"Now with more stringent rules, we want to make sure that there is no violation. We told them to make required changes in all areas to meet new emission norms immediately," the minister said.

The mobile phone companies would have to show proofs of self-certification that they are complying with the new norms and also should register with the telecom enforcement resource and monitoring (TERM) cells. Each TERM cell would conduct random audits of the companies to verify the truth. In case they find any violators they would be subjected to a fine or Rs 5 lakh per tower per telco.

The tower providers are also prohibited from setting up base station antennas in lanes which were less than 5 m wide. Roof top towers with multiple antennas were completely banned. For the benefit of the customers, telcos will have to maintain distance from a building, depending on the number of antennae they want to put.

A building should be 75 meters away from a tower that has 12 antennas. A tower with only two antennas can be 35 meters away.

Telecoms secretary R Chandrasekhar, mentioned that 95% of nearly 500,000 towers across the country were already complying with the norms.

(AW- Anil )