Radioactive Govandi

Afternoon Voice

Fear of radiation due to illegal mobile network towers has left them jittery

According to the residents of Govandi’s Shivaji Nagar and Baigan Wadi, they are living in an environment that is radioactively charged. The notion comes from the excess of mobile network towers that have been installed in their respective localities.

Commenting on the issue, Akhtar Shaikh, a Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader said, “There are almost 32 Mobile towers in these areas, installed on the terraces of G+1 structures and each and every tower is illegal.” Stating that his accusations were not baseless, Akhtar produced a document, issued by the BMC’s Building and Proposal department (October, 30, 2010), which clearly stated that only four towers were cleared by the department. “If so, then why do these areas have 32 towers?” questioned Akhtar. 

He added, “According to the Pollution Control department, a mobile tower should be at least three metres away from any residential area, hospital, schools and narrow lanes. However, all these norms have been royally flouted in Shivaji Nagar and Baigan Wadi. While some of the towers are located almost next to the Shivaji Nagar Municipal School 1 & 2, others are exactly opposite the Shivaji Nagar Municipal Hospital. These towers are hazardous, as they are constantly emitting radioactive waves.”

Accusing the locals who have allowed the service providers to install network towers on their terraces, Ishaque Khan a retired school teacher, said, “Since it fetches huge money, residents allow private companies to install these harmful towers on their rooftops. This they do it by conniving with the BMC officials.” 

“These private companies pay anywhere between Rs.3 to Rs.3.5 lakh a year to the slum dwellers for allowing them to install towers. For those, who find it difficult to even live hand-to-mouth, the money offered is nothing less than a treasure. Hence, without even considering the ill effects, people blindly accept the offer.” 

For the past two years, Akhtar has been fighting against this illegal installation of network towers, but to no avail. “Whenever I approach the BMC officials, they make me run from one department to another. If this is the scenario, how can a common man fight illegalities?” he questioned.

When contacted, Devidas Ksheersagar, AMC of M-Ward 132, remained unavailable for comment. Explaining the hazards of radiation, a cancer specialist, said, “The harmful effects of radiation are numerous – for example cancer and brain tumour. Radiation can cause miscarriage, disrupt pacemaker’s functioning or can even induce insomnia.“