According to Sec. 2(1-A) of the Karnataka Municipal Corporations Act, 1976, phone towers are buildings and since they are used for commercial purpose, they are commercial buildings. So they can not be built on residential sites.
In a circular (No. UDD 17 Aa Pra Sa 2001) issued on 12-11-2001, the Karnataka Government has clearly reiterated this point. It says that establishment of a mobile tower is a commercial activity and that it is subject to the provisions of zonal regulations of the approved Comprehensive Development Plan for the city. It also specifically instructs all local bodies not to permit any captive power generator set on the rooftop of any building.
But there are dozens of mobile towers erected on residential sites in Mysore and MCC is blind to these law violations. Many mobile towers erected on residential/commercial buildings also have generator sets installed on rooftops. MCC is again blind to these violations.
C.V. Nagaraja, Mysore Grahakara Parishat