Gurgaon, July 3, 2024 — A section of the Sohna highway has developed a 12-foot-deep sinkhole on Tuesday, near the same spot that was damaged in December last year. The damage, previously repaired by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in March, is suspected to have been caused by a compromised sewer line beneath the road.
Immediate Response and Traffic Restrictions
As a precautionary measure, the highways authority has restricted traffic movement on the affected stretch. “The area has been barricaded, and the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) has been instructed to repair the sewer line immediately. After the repairs, we will complete the patchwork. This time, we have asked GMDA to use cured-in-place-pipe (CIPP) technology to ensure a permanent solution,” said Yogesh Tilak, project director of NHAI (Rewari).
Inspection and Repair Plans
GMDA officials conducted an inspection at the site and suggested that the damage likely stems from an underlying sewer line issue. “Prima facie, it looks like damage to the sewer line. Remedial measures are being taken, and machinery and manpower are being deployed for repairs,” said Rajesh Bansal, GMDA chief engineer.
The affected sewer line is part of an 1,800-meter master line starting from Shankar Chowk, crossing the elevated sections of Sohna highway near Sector 47, and ending at Behrampur sewage treatment plant. The two-decade-old brick sewer chamber was not adequately reinforced during the highway’s construction, leading to recurring issues. GMDA officials plan to estimate the cost of repairs using CIPP technology to prevent future incidents.
Historical Issues and Future Measures
Following the road cave-in in December, the development authority had considered relocating the sewer line, but no action has been taken so far. Commuters have raised concerns about the substantial funds spent on the highway’s construction and the apparent lack of proper planning and execution.
“The recurrence of such incidents raises serious worries about the quality of construction. The authorities must investigate the cause thoroughly and hold accountable those at fault. Both GMDA and NHAI are blaming each other, but it is the citizens who suffer,” said Siddharth Bhalla, a resident of Sector 48.
The sinkhole incident highlights ongoing infrastructure challenges in Gurgaon, necessitating urgent and effective measures to ensure the safety and convenience of commuters.
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