Madras High Court Supports Installing More Telecom Towers

Madras High Court has said it is necessary to expand the IT and Communications networks to meet the growing need. The court cites the increased need of network connectivity during Covid-19 pandemic.

Madras High Court For More Mobile Towers

The court also cited applications such as online classes, WFH has increased the demand for uninterrupted connectivity. Justice G Chandrasekharan observed that due to the prevailing pandemic, people are not in a position to move. He added that people have also not able to interact and do their business freely for the past 16 months.

"The situation is that students are being taught only through online mode. Business transactions and official meetings are being held through video conferencing," he said.

He therefore stated that installing mobile towers throughout the country will strengthen the network. Justice Chandrasekharan also said that buffing up mobile networks one of the necessary steps to take to ensure effecting networks.

The court had made these remarks during a hearing. The high court allowed a batch of petitions filed by ATC Telecom Infrastructure Private Limited, a company based in Chennai. The company had sought police protection while installing mobile towers in various southern districts.

During the pandemic, Indians have used as much as 10% more data, owing to the new normal activities such as work from home and online classes. The high court took cognizance of the same in the said observations.

Incidentally, people have protested against telecom towers due to widespread misinformation. This misinformation has sparked violence at many telecom sites over the years. The said misinformation has grown during the pandemic as well. In Punjab, miscreants destroyed many telecom sites; they cited that 5G spreads Covid-19. Many central and international authorities, however, have categorically disproved that fact.