The joint inspection team found mobile towers in the State were transmitting emissions much lower than the safe limits prescribed by Government of India. Random tests were conducted today at a number of locations following the prescribed procedures and all these sites tested were found to be compliant with the government norms.

Teams led by officials from the Department of Telecommunications (Ministry of Communications) addressed the concerns raised by the village panchayats and measured EMF emission levels at these areas. The results were shared with the panchayat members with experts saying that all mobile towers are safe, a fact substantiated by the low levels of emissions that showed up in the test results.

Talking about the results, M M Gupta, Sr DDG TERM, said, “These tests lend credence to our findings earlier this month, when DoT officials had undertaken awareness campaigns in 18 panchayats in the State. The findings prove that such fears of health hazard are not backed by facts. We forget that seamless mobile connectivity is an important factor, which can help a State further in its economic growth, favoured tourist destination, business employment opportunity, security and safety of its citizens. For a state like Goa, which is not only one of the most prominent tourist spots of the country, but is also hosting the BRICS Summit, seamless high speed mobile connectivity is an essential requirement.”

Extensive tests by the industry and the DoT have found that there is a need of at least 102 tower sites in the State, particularly South Goa to achieve the objective of high grade seamless mobile connectivity.