The officials from Telecom Enforcement Resource and Monitoring (TERM) Cell of Department of Telecommunication (DOT) India arrived in the town on Tuesday to check the radiation levels being emitted from cell towers following a host of complaints from the residents.
Speaking on the occasion, Principal Advisor to Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), P. Ramakrishna, said the TERM technicians checked the radiation levels of three cell towers at Shanti Nagar, Shivaji Nagar and Panagal, but all of the radiation levels were much below the permissible level.
However, a resident of Shivaji Nagar, G. Padma, whose house is located adjacent to the cell tower, argued with the officials that they have been suffering from various ailments since the mobile tower was installed.
Besides, she contended that the temperature also was very high in the surrounding areas.
Another resident appealed the officials to remove the tower immediately.
However, the officials explained to them that the radiation levels were very low in the surroundings compared to the permissible level of radiation by the DoT.
The COAI, Principal Advisor, informed the residents that they can check the radiation levels if they had any apprehensions by approaching the TERM.
If any cell tower produces more than permissible level of radiation, he said the cellular operators will be penalised by the DoT. Mr. Ramakrishna said that they arrived here to clear the apprehensions of people as they have received a number of complaints from the residents in the recent past.
Later, they also held a joint press conference with Nalgonda police where Superintendent of Police T. Prabhkar Rao also spoke.