Story perspectives

Sewage main failure causes sinkhole collapse on Rajiv Gandhi Salai

By Drooid · Oct 8, 2026, 5:38 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

CMRL reported Rajiv Gandhi Salai at Tidel Park collapsed into a sinkhole on Oct 8, 2026.
The SUV’s driver, Praveen, 27, suffered minor injuries while the female passenger escaped unharmed.
Officials blamed a failed 2.2-metre sewage main 3 metres below the road, noting CMRL tunnelling may have reduced support pressure.
Metrowater and TNRDC sealed the hole with concrete and steel, opened an inquiry, and diverted traffic while compensating the owner.

History

Historical Context

The I-35W Mississippi River bridge, opened in 1967 and rated “structurally deficient” in 1990 and 2005, collapsed on August 1 2007, killing 13, after undersized gusset plates and added load proved fatal. MnDOT and the NTSB’s investigation spurred the FHWA to order inspections of similar truss bridges and led Minnesota to increase fuel-tax funding for bridge maintenance.

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Story summary

CMRL reported Rajiv Gandhi Salai at Tidel Park collapsed into a sinkhole on Oct 8, 2026.
The SUV’s driver, Praveen, 27, suffered minor injuries while the female passenger escaped unharmed.
Officials blamed a failed 2.2-metre sewage main 3 metres below the road, noting CMRL tunnelling may have reduced support pressure.
Metrowater and TNRDC sealed the hole with concrete and steel, opened an inquiry, and diverted traffic while compensating the owner.

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