Tension near Dabolim airport over illegal hill cutting work

Locals allege massive illegal hill cutting in funnel zone near Dabolim Airport despite Stop Work order.

VASCO

A tense situation unfolded near the Dabolim Airport on Sunday after vigilant locals exposed ongoing illegal hill cutting activity in the funnel zone — an area where construction is strictly prohibited. 

Residents, alarmed by the scale of the work, called the police to the site and demanded immediate seizure of the machinery being used.

Despite multiple complaints and a Stop Work order issued by the Chicalim Panchayat, locals claimed that the construction work had continued unabated. 

“We have been complaining for a very long time about this illegal activity right in the funnel zone. It is a prohibited area, and yet the work continues as if no law exists,” said local businessman Avinash Bhobe, who was present at the site.

Bhobe alleged that a Delhi-based party was carrying out the hill cutting in broad daylight, showing complete disregard for local laws and authorities. “The Panchayat issued a Stop Work order, and we have information that the Navy has not given them any permission either. Despite this, they are clearing a hillock right next to the airport. This cannot be tolerated. We want to know who is backing them,” he said. Bhobe also pointed out a misleading signboard put up at the site that read “Suraksha Awaas,” suggesting it was a defence-related project.

Locals warned that failure to take action could result in them hitting the streets in large numbers. “After we reached the site, the trucks fled, but the machinery is still here,” Bhobe added.

Jayesh Fadte, a member of the local comunidade, said previous illegal constructions in the area had already led to the demolition of 45 houses following a court order. “People don’t seem to learn. These Delhi parties are cutting hills because of height restrictions in the funnel zone. It’s a bigger crime now—they’re going underground to stay within height limits,” he said. Fadte expressed frustration that preventive action wasn’t being taken in time. “Why wait for demolition? Why not stop the work at the beginning?”

Both Bhobe and Fadte stressed that the area falls under strict aviation and naval regulations and called for immediate intervention from authorities. They warned that if the illegal work continues, locals would be forced to take matters into their own hands.