South Goa seems to have earned the dubious distinction of crying foul over the installation of mobile towers, citing various health reasons due to radiation and a host of other hoarsely-shouted factors.
Ironically, the fact of the matter is, without good towers the region in the south will continue to attract poor connectivity, as is seen in many parts of South Goa.
Various gram sabha resolutions, complaints, counter complaints, protests have been growing for years over the issue of installing mobile in their panchayats and yet all 30 villages in Salcete taluka which have regularly opposed mobile towers in the name of radiation, display their resentment over bad connectivity. Fortunately, residents of Loutolim have seen reason and the gram sabha has finally agreed, giving its approval to pave way for installation of a tower.
“Often its jealousy and the aura of political clout. Mobile towers seek a rent of about Rs 25,000 a month in a long term contract of ten years and neighbours want a share of that pie and the minute you say ‘no,’ the next thing you know is complaints and opposition to the phone,” stated Carmo Rodrigues from Seraulim, who was keen on installing a mobile tower in his village in 2012, but could not ward off the strong opposition, especially of the panchas.
While Jacques Fernandes claims that Goa’s villages are small and there often Diocesan schools, Balwadis and government primary schools, besides health centers in the vicinity and there is a national concern of having mobile towers anywhere near to the sick and elderly and especially school children. The reluctance stems from the fact that villagers like Jacques are apprehensive of the existing mobile towers that have overstayed and some that have been erected on building illegally, without proper permissions.
I also have seen the drop in productivity of my fruit-bearing cashew trees and the disappearance of birds especially the sparrow. On a personal front I can vouch that towers have a negative impact, claims a fruit farmer Hippolito D’Souza,.
Vinod Naik of Davorlim asks why a company is allowed freely to use highway land bypassing the panchayats, citing past bad experiences wherein locals were completely left out when mobile towers were erected and not taken into confidence, which forces them to be indifferent towards applications for towers despite the fact that good connectivity means benefits to all.
“Children’s assignments suffer due to bad mobile connectivity, except wherever there’s Reliance Jio, as BSNL broadband is erratic. Online portals that offer bill payments from home even electricity and water bills, cheaper calling through WhatsApp, or just having a reliable cell phone connection to make calls suffers. Because of no connectivity we cannot even use the services of Amazon and Flipkart and all this is sad,” exclaims Theresa Dias of Majorda.
