HC seeks BTRC report on telecom tower radiation

The High Court yesterday directed the telecom regulator to run a massive study within the next four months to measure the impact of radiation from telecom towers on citizens’ health and environment.

The bench of Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed and Justice Md Iqbal Kabir asked the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to submit its report to the court, based on which a decision will be taken about placement of towers near schools, hospitals and residential buildings.

The order comes following a seven-year-old writ petition filed by rights organisation Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh.

The bench also said further directives will be given in this regard after the report is submitted, said petitioners’ counsel Advocate Manzill Murshid.

Following the previous court order the BTRC purchased high-range telecom equipment for measuring tower radiation but found it below the range, said Barrister Khandaker Reza-E-Raquib, who appeared for the BTRC.

In its order the HC also directed the telecom regulator to make declaration of radiation by mobile handsets mandatory at the time of import for consumer awareness.

There are reportedly 35,000 telecom towers in Bangladesh.