Ludhiana: Extreme summer heat and trapped underground gases are suspected to have caused a reinforced cement concrete (RCC) road to fracture and rupture in the city's New Mayapuri area on Tuesday. The incident, which occurred near a sewer manhole in Ward 66, marks the third such infrastructure failure reported in the industrial hub in recent weeks.
Cause of the Rupture
Local municipal officials inspected the site to determine if pent-up sewer gas had caused the burst, though the manhole cover itself remained undamaged. Area councillor Rohit Sikka said the road, constructed a few years ago, lacked adequate expansion joints or air-release vents. He noted that intense seasonal temperatures, combined with subsurface gas accumulation, likely forced the concrete to crack under pressure.
Safety Concerns Raised
The structural failure has triggered safety concerns among community members, who have called for a comprehensive technical investigation. Residents warned that future ruptures during peak traffic hours could cause serious accidents or damage moving vehicles. Repair work is currently in progress at the site.
Previous Incidents
Similar concrete road ruptures were documented previously in the HM Colony area of Jamalpur in April, and along Lohara Road on May 20. These repeated failures have heightened worries about road safety in Ludhiana.
About the Author: Nidhi Bhardwaj is a Special Correspondent with the Punjab bureau of The Times of India and is based in Ludhiana. She covers municipal corporation, Ludhiana Improvement Trust, Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority, and political parties Shiromani Akali Dal and Bharatiya Janata Party. Besides, she writes about environment-related issues.
