Mobile towers radiation?

SHILLONG, JUNE 30: Opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) on Tuesday demanded that the state government must set up an ‘independent study’ to find out facts on the perception that mobile towers are source of radiation.

The demand was made after a meeting convened by the UDP with the different mobile service providers operating in the state on Tuesday.

According to the party, there has been an increased in the number of complaints from the public against the ‘quality of service’ provided by these mobile companies especially in Khasi – Jaintia sector.

UDP working president Paul Lyngdoh told newsmen after the meeting, “We would immediately write to the state government to activate such independent study to address to the problem.”

Lyngdoh said the study is needed after the mobile service companies have put before the party problems faced by them, that has led to the decline in the connectivity services.

“One of the reasons pointed by the mobile operators is the general perception about the radiation emanating from mobile towers,” Lyngdoh said. According to him, many Rangbah Shnongs and house owners are reluctant to allow any mobile towers to be erected in their lands.

“This has lead to the problem of congestion in the network and expansion of connectivity could not be met,” Lyngdoh informed.

Mobile users at present are encountering different problems because of poor quality of service hampering communication.

An officials of one of the companies said, “People are not willing to lease their land for setting up mobile towers and this has been a main hindrance for the company to improve and expand the connectivity.”

Lyngdoh, therefore, said the UDP will facilitate setting up of such a study to find out the truth about the level of radiation as this is required to allay the fears. He also felt that the study can be broad base to cover all the relevant aspects connected with the connectivity issue.

Those attended the meeting called by the UDP includes representatives from the BSNL, Airtel, Aircel and Vodafone.- By Our Reporter