Iffco Chowk sinkhole repair likely from today after sewer line diversion

GMDA will temporarily repair the damaged stretch before upgrading the ageing pipeline to Sikanderpur using trenchless technology.

Repair of the sinkhole at Iffco Chowk on the Delhi-Gurgaon expressway could not begin on Wednesday due to heavy sewer flow and is likely to start Thursday morning after the affected area is dewatered, GMDA officials said.

Two service lanes remain barricaded after a sewer drain collapse created a large sinkhole, triggering congestion and panic among commuters. (PTI)

Five pumps are being used to remove water from the sinkhole, while the sewer pipeline will be diverted on Wednesday night to facilitate repairs. A portion of the sewer drain on the Iffco Chowk service lane from Delhi towards Jaipur collapsed on Tuesday afternoon, damaging the road and creating a large sinkhole. The two service lanes were subsequently barricaded, causing congestion and panic among commuters.

“Three tractor-mounted pumps and two stationary pumps have been deployed on the spot, and these are working continuously to dewater the spot. However, due to the very high flow of water, it was decided on Wednesday that the sewer line will be diverted so that the sinkhole can be repaired. This will be completed in the night, and we expect to start the repair from Thursday morning,” a senior GMDA official said, requesting anonymity.

After a detailed inspection on Tuesday night, GMDA officials found that the sewer drain coming from MG Road towards Iffco Chowk had collapsed and damaged the road. “This drain had earlier collapsed near the L-shaped underpass on MG Road, and it is quite old and in bad shape,” the official said.

The GMDA has decided to upgrade the pipeline from Iffco Chowk to Sikanderpur using MWSL (Machine Wound Spiral Lining) technology to address repeated cave-ins. “First we will carry out temporary repairs of the sinkhole to facilitate the movement of traffic. Thereafter, the sewer pipeline from Iffco Chowk to Sikanderpur will be repaired using MWSL technology. It is a trenchless technology used to rehabilitate existing pipelines, particularly storm water drains and sewer lines, by creating a new, structurally sound pipe within the old one. It is also cost effective,” the official said, adding that a tender would be floated within a month.

GMDA CEO PC Meena said a detailed survey of the entire sewer pipeline on MG road would be conducted after temporary repairs to find a permanent solution.

Officials plan a detailed survey of the entire MG Road sewer pipeline to identify a permanent solution after temporary repairs are completed. (ANI Video Grab)

NHAI officials at the site said the damaged road stretch and sinkhole had been completely barricaded, and they were waiting for the sinkhole to dry. “We had expected that the sewer flow would reduce gradually, but the flow of water is very high. Once the repair work is started, we will cut a large portion of the road around the sinkhole and repair the adjoining areas around the drain so that it does not get damaged again,” they said.

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