For the second time in less than two weeks, a section of RK Mutt Road in the historic Mylapore area of Chennai gave way on Thursday, raising serious concerns about public safety and crumbling infrastructure. The latest cave-in was triggered by a leak in an underground sewage pipeline, mirroring an incident that occurred just meters away on January 1st.
Recurring Danger on a Key Stretch
The recent collapse happened barely ten days after a previous incident on New Year's Day, where the road sank to a shocking depth of up to 4.5 meters. Officials from the Teynampet zone confirmed the cause. C Suresh Kumar, the area engineer, stated that the issue was a leak at a joint in a sewage pumping line. He downplayed the severity, calling it a common problem due to old pipelines with rubber joints and the stress from heavy vehicles. Kumar claimed rectification would take only about five hours.
Residents Point to Systemic Failure
Local residents, however, are frustrated and fearful. They argue that temporary fixes are no solution for a deep-seated problem. Thulasiram, a resident of South Mada Street in Mylapore, highlighted a critical failure. He revealed that the damaged pipeline was laid just five years ago but was not properly replaced after initial damage. Instead, authorities opted for patchwork repairs.
Thulasiram blamed the recurring cave-ins on a lack of coordination between Metrowater and the Chennai Corporation. This disconnect, he alleges, results in shoddy workmanship. Despite clear evidence of frequent collapses caused by aging and damaged pipelines, the departments have failed to undertake a complete replacement of the old network.
Heavy Vehicles and Corrosion Compound the Risk
The situation is exacerbated by the constant movement of heavy vehicles on the road, which further stresses the compromised underground structure. Residents warn that unless the entire stretch is properly closed, excavated, and repaired with a new pipeline, another cave-in could happen within days.
The January 1st cave-in was attributed to corrosion of the pipeline surface and damage to the underground sewer line. Following that incident, Metrowater replaced an 11-meter section of the pipe. The agency also decided to submit a proposal to replace the entire 1,200-mm diameter pipeline. The Corporation is expected to begin road restoration work next week, but locals remain skeptical about the permanence of any solution.
A Call for Permanent Infrastructure Solutions
The back-to-back road collapses on RK Mutt Road have exposed a chronic issue plaguing many parts of Chennai. The reliance on aged infrastructure and reactive, temporary repairs creates a cycle of danger and inconvenience. The incidents underscore an urgent need for coordinated, long-term planning and investment in replacing old utility lines to prevent such hazardous situations from becoming a regular feature of city life. The safety of commuters and residents must take precedence over quick fixes.
