A fresh and significant road cave-in on R K Mutt Road in Chennai's historic Mylapore area on Thursday has intensified public fears regarding the rapid deterioration of essential civic infrastructure in the city's core localities. This incident marks the latest in a series of similar collapses, pointing to a systemic failure in addressing aging underground utilities.
A History of Collapses and Temporary Fixes
According to officials from Metrowater, the city's water and sewerage board, the immediate cause of this collapse was severe corrosion on the surface of an underground sewage pipeline that was laid approximately 25 years ago. This aging infrastructure has been linked to multiple cave-ins in recent years: three incidents in 2021, one in 2024, and another in early 2025.
Despite this recurring problem, the response has largely been reactive. The department has repeatedly carried out quick repairs. On Thursday, when the road sank to a depth of 4.5 meters, the same approach was followed. Metrowater's deputy area engineer, M Ravikumar, stated that they have replaced the damaged 11-meter stretch as an immediate measure.
Official Response and Future Plans
"The section will remain partially closed for the concrete to dry, which is likely to take six hours. After that, the Greater Chennai Corporation will patch the surface," Ravikumar explained. He added that complete road restoration would be undertaken within a week.
Recognizing the need for a more permanent solution, the agency has planned to replace the entire 120-meter sewer line to prevent further damage and ensure commuter safety. However, this requires a formal process. The corporation will need to propose the replacement, seek permission from the GCC, and secure necessary funding, including road-cut charges. "The discussions are on. We will submit the proposal soon," Ravikumar confirmed.
Residents Voice Frustration Over Civic Neglect
Local residents have expressed deep frustration and a sense of being let down by both civic bodies. They accuse Metrowater of persistently opting for temporary fixes instead of replacing the sewer line that is over two decades old. Simultaneously, they blame the Greater Chennai Corporation, which is responsible for the road, for repeatedly conducting surface-level repairs after each cave-in without holding Metrowater accountable for the root cause.
Sridhar Venkataraman, a resident of East Abiramapuram in Mylapore, highlighted a critical factor. "Metrowater must ensure that the sewers are adequate, especially with a pumping station in Mandaveli that pulls sewage at high pressure. The department shouldn't wait for another cave-in or mishap to replace the sewer," he asserted. This sentiment echoes the community's demand for proactive infrastructure management and long-term planning to avert such dangerous incidents in the future.
The repeated cave-ins on R K Mutt Road serve as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by India's metropolitan cities, where aging underground networks are increasingly failing, posing risks to public safety and disrupting daily life.
