Bengaluru’s mobile towers have rapidly multiplied, yet the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has struggled to collect significant revenue from them. Despite a decision in 2014-15 to levy property taxes and installation fees on telecom towers, companies have failed to make payments.
Bengaluru is home to around 10,000 mobile towers, yet telecom operators have repeatedly avoided paying the required taxes. As a result, BBMP is losing out on much-needed revenue. The BBMP had set a target of ₹5,200 crores for tax collection this year, but progress remains slow.
Under the Karnataka Municipal Corporation (KMC) Act, BBMP has the authority to collect taxes from properties hosting mobile towers. In 2015, the Karnataka government amended the definition of “buildings” to include mobile towers, enabling BBMP to levy taxes. However, telecom companies still owe between ₹100 and ₹120 crores in back taxes.
Despite offering a one-time settlement scheme to clear dues, telecom companies have failed to pay, and the deadline is fast approaching. BBMP may soon be forced to take more aggressive action to recover the arrears, as companies continue to ignore their obligations. This ongoing issue highlights the challenges local authorities face when trying to enforce tax collection against powerful corporate entities.
