The standoff in Colvale on Thursday, where residents and the Sarpanch reportedly stopped an excavator from preparing the site for a mobile tower near the village playground, reflects a familiar dilemma in Goa: the need for better connectivity versus concerns over radiation, health and the suitability of proposed locations.
Residents’ concerns cannot be dismissed, particularly near homes, schools and playgrounds. Yet reliable mobile and internet networks are now essential for education, banking, business, government services, healthcare and communication. During Covid-19, some Goan students had to climb hills or travel elsewhere to access online classes.
Mobile towers emit radiofrequency electromagnetic fields, but the World Health Organization says public exposure around them is generally well below permissible levels, while calling for continued research. The key questions are whether a proposed tower meets prescribed standards and whether its site has been properly assessed. The answer is not to choose between connectivity and safety, but to ensure responsible planning, transparency, public safety and community participation.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
