A significant cavity, measuring between ten to fifteen feet in depth, suddenly appeared on a road in Surat's Shahpore area on Wednesday, sending shockwaves through the local community. The incident, occurring along the active metro rail corridor, immediately raised fears among residents about the potential impact on the foundations of their nearby buildings.
Cause Identified: Loose Backfilling, Not Metro Tunnelling
Swiftly responding to the scene, officials from the Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation Limited (GMRCL) conducted an investigation. They clarified that the cavity was not a result of ongoing metro tunnelling activity. The tunnel boring machine (TBM) had already passed through this specific section and is currently located approximately 20 meters away from the site.
Instead, metro authorities pinpointed the cause to inadequately compacted backfilling performed by an external agency after previous underground utility work. The area is known for its dense network of subterranean pipes and cables. According to an official statement, the soil used to refill trenches after this utility work was left loose. Over time, this soil settled, ultimately leading to the formation of the dangerous cavity beneath the road surface.
Immediate Response and Precautionary Measures
GMRCL teams rushed to address the hazard. The immediate action involved excavating the unstable soil surrounding the cavity and then carrying out concrete filling to stabilise the affected section of the road. Authorities assured the public that, based on initial assessments, the cavity is confined to the road and no signs of settlement or structural distress have been detected in adjacent buildings so far.
Despite this assurance, exercising an abundance of caution, residents of nearby apartment buildings were evacuated as a temporary precautionary measure. To ensure independent verification and bolster public confidence, experts from SVNIT (Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology) have been engaged to assess the situation. The GMRCL also stated that building settlements in the vicinity are being monitored continuously.
Ongoing Monitoring and Community Assurance
This event highlights the complexities of urban infrastructure projects in densely populated areas with pre-existing underground networks. While metro officials have been quick to explain the technical cause and implement repairs, the incident has undoubtedly caused anxiety. The involvement of SVNIT experts serves as an additional safety measure to provide a neutral assessment and ensure all necessary steps are taken to guarantee structural integrity and public safety.
The GMRCL's prompt response aims to mitigate risks and maintain trust in the large-scale metro project, emphasising that the tunnelling operations themselves are not the source of this particular problem.
