MARGAO: Residents of Verna-Ambrol were alarmed to discover that a massive boulder had fallen from a nearby hill, landing dangerously close to a frequently used road on Friday night.
Upon inspecting the site on Saturday morning, locals expressed relief that no one had been injured in the incident. However, the landslip has reignited concerns about public safety in the area.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
Activists like Franky D’Mello amongst others criticised the authorities for inaction, demanding an immediate investigation into the cause of the rockfall. “This is not an isolated incident. We’ve been raising these concerns for years,” they added.
Locals further pointed to previous objections they had raised regarding hill-cutting activities in the area, which they believe may have contributed to the boulder’s dislodgement. With the rainy season underway, many fear the situation could worsen, potentially leading to more rockfalls and endangering lives.
“What if someone had been passing by when the boulder fell? There are restaurants close by and this road
witnesses plenty of traffic,” remarked one resident, highlighting the community’s frustration with what they perceive as official indifference to their safety concerns.
The incident has sparked calls for immediate action from the government to assess and address the risk of further rockfalls. Residents emphasise the need for
preventative measures, arguing that waiting for a tragedy to occur before taking action is unacceptable
