3 days ago
Rain-wreck: Huge crater blocks traffic at Kapoorthala
1
2
Lucknow: Heavy rain lashed the city on Wednesday night, flooding roads and damaging infrastructure in several areas. In Aliganj, a large section of the Kapoorthala road caved in, creating a deep crater about 15x20 feet wide and nearly 15 feet deep — large enough for a truck and a car to fall into.
The collapse occurred between 1 am and 2 am and was first noticed by a night security guard. Two vehicles that got stuck in the crater were removed using a crane. Officials blocked the road, forcing commuters to take long detours and causing congestion in adjoining localities.
The cave-in was caused by a combination of prolonged sewer leakage and structural damage originating from a nearby optical fibre cable chamber.
Multiple rounds of horizontal directional drilling for optical fibre and electrical cables created pathways for rainwater to seep into soil, weakening ground beneath bituminous road layer.
There was damage to underlying water supply line and sewer line collapsed further. Continuous sewer water flow increased risk of more cave-ins and a second crater, 10 to 15 feet deep, formed beside the first, which is now around 20 to 25 feet deep.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Premium 2 & 3 BHK Apartments in Whitefield | Starts at ₹81.42 Lacs* | No Pre EMI till Possession
Sowparnika Euphoria In The East
Learn More
Undo
Aliganj resident Aman Kumar Jaiswal said water often accumulated at the spot during rains, weakening the road. "We are facing problem commuting while our business too has come to a standstill," he said. Vishal Kashyap, who works at a nearby shop, recalled that a small pothole formed at the same spot months ago but was only filled with soil. "Business will continue to suffer until repairs are done," he said.
Municipal commissioner Gaurav Kumar inspected the site with senior officials from jal kal department and Lucknow Municipal Corporation.
He said repair of the damaged 1,500 mm diameter sewer line was being carried out on priority by SUEZ, a private firm hired by LMC for sewer maintenance. The area has been barricaded, and heavy machinery, including a Hydra crane and dewatering pump, deployed. At the site are 10 company workers, a supervisor and a six-member SUEZ-OCOP operations team are on site, supported by a safety emergency vehicle.
SUEZ project director Rajesh Mathpal said, "Our team stabilised the area to prevent further damage."
Downpour caused waterlogging in KGMU Trauma Centre, Vidhan Sabha complex and several colonies in Gomtinagar, Aashiana and Buddheswar. A small crater formed in Mahanagar by waterlogging.
In Buddheswar, residents protested against clogged drains and slow pumping operations. In low-lying areas, shops and homes were flooded and heavy losses were reported. Traffic jams hit Kanpur Road and Sarojininagar, worsened by muddy, pothole-ridden stretches near expressway construction sites. In PGI's Eldeco Udyan Colony, cars were partially submerged, while Marine Drive went under knee-deep water.
Stay updated with the latest local news from your
city
on
Times of India
(TOI). Check upcoming
bank holidays
,
public holidays
, and current
gold rates
and
silver prices
in your area.
Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with
Happy Independence Day wishes
,
messages
, and
quotes
!
