VASCO: The residents of Chaferan, Merces-Vaddem have expressed fear for their safety in view of the ongoing hill cutting activity, which according to them, could trigger a landslide if it rained heavily, thereby burying their houses under the mud.

It may be recalled that some residents had filed a complaint to the Mormugao mamlatdar, Mr Rajesh Azgaonkar and also to the deputy collector and sub-divisional magistrate, Mr Levinson Martins over the alleged illegal hill cutting, which is learnt being carried out to make way for a residential house. The complaint was also forwarded to the Mormugao municipality and the Planning and Development Authority (MPDA), Vasco.

According to the complaint the alleged illegal extraction of mud was posing danger to the residents who are residing in the houses located on the top of the hillock.

Although the complaint had been filed long time back the concerned authorities have so far failed to take any action to this effect.

When contacted, Mr Levinson Martins, he informed that he has forwarded the complaint to the Mormugao mamlatdar in order to inspect the site along with circle inspector and talathi of Vasco so that necessary action could be initiated against the culprits.

The deputy collector and sub-divisional magistrate, Mr Martins however maintained that the district administration is geared up to face the challenges in the monsoon.