CHENNAI — Commuters along Rajiv Gandhi Salai (OMR) experienced moments of sheer terror during peak hours after a section of the road suddenly caved in, causing a sedan to plunge into a 10-foot-deep sinkhole near Tidel Park.
The incident occurred near the busy IT corridor intersection, where heavy traffic was moving slowly. Eyewitnesses reported that the tarmac beneath the vehicle visibly cracked before giving way entirely, swallowing the front half of the car before the entire chassis slipped into the gaping crater.
Bystanders and traffic police officers stationed near Tidel Park rushed to the scene immediately to assist. Passersby managed to break the vehicle's rear window and safely pull the driver out before emergency personnel arrived. The driver, who suffered minor injuries and shock, was taken to a nearby medical facility for observation.
Civic officials and personnel from the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) quickly cordoned off the area to prevent further accidents. Preliminary assessments suggest that an underground pipeline leak combined with recent heavy rainfall may have eroded the soil beneath the road surface, leading to the structural failure.
Traffic along the busy IT corridor ground to a halt as heavy machinery and cranes were brought in to retrieve the damaged vehicle from the pit. Local authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the cave-in and initiated emergency road repair work to secure the surrounding area.
The incident has sparked renewed outrage among local residents and daily commuters regarding the city's aging infrastructure and road maintenance. Urban planning experts and civic activists are urging local municipal bodies to conduct comprehensive underground surveys across high-density transit corridors to identify potential hollow spots and prevent similar sinkhole collapses before monsoon season worsens.
In response to the growing public scrutiny, the Greater Chennai Corporation has promised a swift safety audit of all ongoing underground utility projects along the IT corridor. Officials stated that contractor accountability measures will be strictly enforced, and routine radar testing will be introduced in prone areas to ensure road stability and restore public confidence.
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