Telecom Industry Says HC Verdict on Radiation is Erroneous

Radiation from cell phone towers has always been an issue of contention between telecom companies and those who claim it causes various health hazards. A number of researchers suggest having cell phone towers in the vicinity of residential areas can pose serious health threats to people living there.

While the debate about the effects of radiation is still going on, the High Court of Rajasthan in India has directed telecom service providers operating in Rajasthan to remove their towers near schools, hospitals and playgrounds.

Understandably, telecom companies in India are not amused. They call this decision "completely erroneous" as it is given on a recommendation of an inter-ministerial panel on radiation.

This recommendation was rejected by the telecom department (DoT).

Industry leaders have also stated that the HC order is not taking into consideration all worldwide scientific findings on mobile radiation by WHO, as well as DoT's own affidavit, before the Rajasthan HC.

But this is not new in India. In the past, the telecom industry has faced various protests and litigation in cities like Bangalore, Kochi and Jaipur. The Indian government considerably reduced the EMF radiation level by one tenth and made the law more stringent, in the aftermath of continuing protests and court cases.

“The basic premise of the Rajasthan HC judgment is based on an inter-ministerial panel report on radiation. The conclusions drawn by the high court are flawed since DoT did not accept the recommendation of this panel on avoidance of installation of mobile towers in schools, hospitals and other densely populated areas," said the joint communique from the Tower & Infrastructure Providers Association, COAI and Association of Unified Telecom Service Providers of India.

Recently, it was reported that terraces that will have new cell phone towers will not be available for residents of those buildings or for outsiders. The decision was passed by the new Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) draft policy in Mumbai, India.

To explain the dangers of radiation from those cell phone towers, a warning board will be put up at the entry of the terrace.

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