The Hindu

Mangalore, Feb 15: Officials of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) have expressed concern over excavation work being carried out by some persons at a hillock near Maravoor, as the officials fear it could cause damage to its new runway and also hamper the construction of a proposed terminal building there.

The AAI has proposed to construct the building on a site near the Dakkan Park building on the Maravoor side.

On a hillock

The site is on top of a hillock at the foot of which some persons have taken up excavation work. The work has spread to the north-west side of the new runway too. AAI officials say that the excavation work is cutting deep into the hillock and this could increase the possibility of landslides during the monsoon. This would upset not only the construction of the proposed terminal building but would also affect the new runway, the officials say.

'No planning'

According to them, the excavation work is being carried out about 250 m from the new runway, without any proper planning. They have demanded that action be taken immediately against those responsible. They officials say that the authorities of an educational institution, who have constructed a building near Maravoor, have bought some land in a low-lying area near their building. They are filling up the area by excavating earth from the hillock. However, the work is not being carried out in a scientific manner and has disturbed the slope of the hillock, the officials add.

Visit

Deputy Commissioner M. Maheshwar Rao, a senior police officer and other officials, including a few from the AAI, visited the spot last Thursday.

Mr. Rao told that he was thinking of issuing an order to the authorities to take steps to protect the hillock.