The protests over the installation of mobile phone towers continue across India. In Goa too, the voice against these towers are strong. But, when the recent numbers show that radiation levels are far lower than the set norms, those protests hit a brick wall of strong facts.
Data by the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) show that, for example, the radiation level in Patto, Panaji is 10.04 milliwatts per square metre. The prescribed limit is 450 milliwatts per square meter. In Bambolim, the tower near Goa Medical College has levels of 6.62 milliwatts. All these numbers are more than 90 percent less than what is prescribed. Even if these towers were to increase their power, it would still be far lower than normal. So why is there such a hue and cry about the installation of mobile phone towers?
If one were to take stock of a progressing country like India, then there is a necessity for more mobile phone towers. The government’s Digital India campaign depends on this. With smartphones now becoming a massive part of most people’s lives, good connectivity is mandatory. There have been calls in Goa to invite more non-polluting companies to set up shop there and improve on Goa’s employment scenario. All these companies depend on good connectivity to function. Without a good arrangement of towers, among other infrastructure to increase connectivity, Goa is not a viable destination for companies such as these. India is now the world’s second biggest smartphone market, which means that Goa has a constantly rising number of smartphone users. They would need better connectivity. Of course, the mobile phone towers service even those without smartphones.
The World Health Organisation, the American Cancer Society and other health organisations have attested to the fact that as long as radiation levels remain below prescribed limits, there is no harm to human life. The Director General of COAI lamented the fact that the protests still happen and also elaborated on plans to install 1200 towers across the State over the next year or so.
Protests have takes place across Goa, most recently in Zuarinagar. The protestors claim that the towers endanger human life. The recorded levels by COAI prove that is not the case. Science trumps this time but the government has to now tread carefully on this issue and start working with the disgruntled groups to prove to them that these mobile phone towers are not as dangerous as they are made out to be if they stay within the limits.
One option could be to provide meters to all panchayats and municipal corporations, where citizens can avail of a test in the event that they feel a particular tower or a company is crossing the line. It would be ideal to work with the people instead of building towers under the cover of darkness. Using subterfuge to increase the tower density in the state is not a solution to the protests, in fact, it only serves to aggravate the situation further.
Telecommunications are possibly the main vehicle for socio-economic progress in India right now. Mobile phone towers and other related infrastructure come as part of this package. Most people realise that it is important. But the job is now to convince those who do not or who still think that science and the studies conducted are wrong.
