The Hindu

Mangalore, Aug 9: Mangalore city is called the city of seven hills. But these hills are not visible in their splendour today. Initially the lighthouse hill was razed and now it is time for Maravoor hill to be razed by the builders.

The hill located at the far end of Mangalore airport used to greet the visitors with its lush greenery. But now it has loose soil sliding down, trees uprooted and boulders scattered. A builder has taken up a housing project here and has made deep ridges into the hill using heavy machinery.

 
The Maravoor Hill

According to the local people, the builder might not have expected the hill to crumble so easily but it did owing to the severe onslaught of the earth moving machinery. They pointed out that many boulders had rolled down from the top of the hill.

Just metres away from where the project is coming up, there are fifteen houses belonging to poor people. Their dwellings are in danger.

They have complained to police and the taluk panchayat but action is yet to be taken.