Part of Rajiv Gandhi Salai shut over sewer line repairs

A portion of Rajiv Gandhi Salai near the Indira Nagar U Turn flyover has been cordoned off since Saturday morning following a sunken sewage line below.

Sources in the Highways Department said that their patrol vehicle noticed an undulation on the road on Friday night and the spot next to the approach ramp of the flyover from Tidel Park side, had been barricaded to ensure safety of motorists. On Saturday morning when the road was dug, the leak in the 2.2 sewer line was detected due to the sinking of the pipe.

Chennai Metrowater was presently carrying out repair works. Due to this, traffic was slow in Rajiv Gandhi Salai throughout the day as one lane was not available for motorists for a stretch of about 50 feet in length. The repairs are expected to be completed by Sunday.

A former Highways engineer said that this was the fourth time that various locations had sunken on Rajiv Gandhi Salai due to the same sewer line. “Efforts must be made to replace the line, and the capacity of the pumping station should be enhanced to prevent such incidents in future. The lines from Madhya Kailas temple to IIT Madras and that running near the Madhya Kailash flyover too have to be changed to prevent leaks,” he added.