Addressing members of the non-government organization (NGO) Concern for Calcutta, he said possible measures against this would be soon in place.

The MP claimed research had proved that radiation emitted from mobile towers had led to heating of the atmosphere, impacted the health of people nearby, led to fatigue and reduced mental concentration and exposed people to high levels of radiation that could lead to cancer.

Protests against the establishment of such towers had already started in parts of Kerala, in keeping with similar protest abroad, he claimed.

Salim said the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JNURM) of the government of India had led to initiatives but amendments were needed to make the scheme more effective and enable mobilization of resources. Speaking about the transport system of Kolkata, he said the city urgently needed a new mass rapid transport system (MRTS) which would also reduce air pollution.

Compressed natural gas (CNG) should be used in vehicles, at home and even in factories, he added. However, CNG supply was a major constraint, he admitted. Intelligent Transport Engineering (ITE) already applied in Beijing could be adopted in India as well, he added. Water logging, the other menace affecting the city, could be reduced by re-engineering the canal system.

It would also combat water scarcity, more so if the concept of rain wate harvesting was combined with canal renewal, he added. A report on the improvement of the many slums was under preparation.

He said slum dewellers numbered over four million in Kolkata alone. The report wpuld be tabled in Parliament.