Deekshith D V
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Jul 26: The recent landslip at the construction site of a new railway tunnel at Kulshekar has put five families in grave risk.

Though a major tragedy was averted in the incident that occurred on July 15, the families in the vicinity are living in constant fear as the houses are only a few meters away from the tunnel.

The residents claimed that the railway department did their work by blasting stones for the construction of tunnel. Doubling of railway track is also a cause for this landslip. The tunnel work has been started by Southern Railways Construction Organization.

Speaking to daijiworld, Mohan Shenoy Maroli, a resident, said, "We cannot sleep during the night as we are living in constant fear of landslide. We cannot leave the house because if we do, there is no guarantee that we can get back to the same house."

Jayanthi, another local, speaking to daijiworld said, "Landslip occurs due to vibration and blasting of stones. The railway department has orally assured that it will arrange temporary houses for rent for the residents. We are not able to sleep due to constant threat of landslide."

An officer from Southern Railways Construction Organization who did not want to be named informed daijiworld, "We have made arrangements to provide houses on rent which are 400 meters away from their houses. But the residents have been refusing to vacate and say that 'we are safe here'. Now we are filling the pit with boulders and sand bags. We are ready to make payments but the residents are not willing to leave their houses. They are fond of their houses.

Locals stated that MLA JR Lobo had visited the spot and directed the railway department officials to fill the pit with sand bags and boulders.

"On July 17, the MLA who visited the spot directed us to fill the pit with boulders and sand bags. He also said that it will be stable this way. Filling up boulders and sand bags in pit will prevent further landslide."

Another local Prakash who is suffering from illness said, "The Construction department with poor geographical knowledge of this land has started the work. In many places, springs have started to flow from the land, making it marshy."