Illegal and clandestine transmissions by private players at levels much higher than the telecom regulator-prescribed 20 Watt are leading to problems in the city, says a preliminary report by KEM Hospital submitted to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

“If the cell companies put up towers at the specified limit, they will need more towers. This does not go well with their businesses. Hence, illegal and clandestine transmissions at a higher power are used as a means to reduce the required number of towers, risking the population of RF radiations,” said the report by the committee chaired by KEM Dean Dr Sandhya Kamat.