Rakesh Bhatnagar

A DNA reader from Mumbai has enormous faith in the Supreme Court's ability to undo everything that's going wrong in the country. He has spent a lot of money on long-distance calls to Delhi for securing information about the outcome of the court's final word on certain long-pending issues of public heath governance.

Lately, he is concerned with the rising number of cell phone towers in the business capital. He says a radioactive wave emitting tower put up within 300 yards from his apartment was responsible for serious ailments that he's suffering now at 80-plus. Indeed, he has kept a close track of the court's proceedings on the issue. He has maintained all the newspaper clippings. He feels that a favourable indulgence would help in removing the hazardous tower. Some time back, a Mumbai civic court had ordered removal of a hazardous cell phone tower near a residential place. In Kochi, Kerala, the High Court is seized of a petition by Dr M K Sabu opposing Bharti Televenture Limited's move to set up a huge telecommunication tower near their residence on health grounds.

"The business group had not cared to inform the general public about the hazardous consequences of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) on their health," they say. Even United States Food and Drugs Administration had rejected the claims of the telecommunication industry that there was no danger to human life from electromagnetic radiation. On the other hand, US  Supreme Court has already ruled (City of Rancho Palos Verdes v. Abrams) that  cities can't  be sued for refusing to permit a cell phone tower. It examined whether or not the 1996 US Telecommunications Act allows such damage claims against a city.

The ruling overturns an earlier decision by the court. This ruling has broader implications. Over the last 10 years, at least two lakh cell phone towers have sprung up around the country, and the wireless industry says it needs more to eliminate "dead spots". The Indian apex court has already asked the cell phone providers and the government to evolve a mechanism by which the safety aspects are strictly complied with while erecting towers on the high-rise buildings that spot many big and small towns.

In the US residents fear a reduction in property values and increasing health problems from radio-frequency emissions. US courts have granted relief in at least 500 cases that sought injunction against big companies from putting up towers in their localities. Surely, technology requires fast update.