Gurugram, July 5, 2024 – The Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) has initiated repairs on a major sinkhole that emerged on Sohna Road near Subash Chowk. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, resulted from the collapse of a two-decade-old sewage pipeline, causing significant disruptions and highlighting the need for infrastructure upgrades.
Incident Details and Immediate Response
The sinkhole, measuring 20 feet deep, appeared on the Gurugram-Sohna elevated road near Malibu Town in Sector 47. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and Gurugram traffic police quickly barricaded one of the lanes on the main carriageway from Gurugram to Sohna after a school bus got stuck in the sinkhole. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
This is the second time in recent months that the Sohna highway has witnessed such an incident. In December 2023, a similar sinkhole appeared just 40 feet away from the current location, causing prolonged traffic disruptions.
Repair and Prevention Measures
GMDA Chief Engineer Rajesh Bansal stated that teams have started repair work on the damaged sewage line. The area around the sinkhole is being excavated to assess the extent of the damage. “We are dewatering the sewage line, and the damaged portion will be repaired on priority. To prevent similar incidents in the future, it has been decided that the entire 850-meter sewage line will be strengthened using the CIPP (Cured-In-Place Pipe) method,” Bansal said.
The GMDA has allocated ₹10 crore for strengthening the sewage pipeline that runs under the main carriageway of Sohna Road from Subash Chowk to Tikri village. This pipeline, 20 feet deep and 2,000mm wide, is crucial for managing sewage from residential areas. Once the pipeline is reinforced, the risk of future cave-ins will be significantly reduced.
Long-Term Solutions and Impact
Bansal emphasized the importance of this infrastructure project for the city’s overall safety and efficiency. “These are master sewage lines with a large capacity. Strengthening this stretch under Sohna Road will resolve the recurring problem of road cave-ins,” he added. The pipeline eventually crosses Sohna Road towards Tikri village and connects to the Behrampur sewage treatment plant.
The GMDA’s proactive approach aims to address and mitigate infrastructure vulnerabilities, ensuring safer and more reliable urban environments for residents. However, the frequent occurrence of such incidents underscores the need for comprehensive assessments and timely upgrades of critical infrastructure.
Community and Traffic Advisories
Residents and commuters are advised to follow traffic updates and avoid the affected areas until the repairs are completed. The GMDA and NHAI will continue to monitor the situation and provide necessary updates to minimize inconvenience.
For more updates on this developing story and other local news, stay tuned to Sarhind Times.
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