Ludhiana MC finds dart sewer line damaged at cave-in site

Harshraj Singh

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, October 29

A day after around 15-ft-deep and 20-ft-long crater appeared on a road at Deep Nagar here, the Municipal Corporation found that its old dart sewer line (made of bricks) had got damaged.

The dart sewerage system, which is said to be around 50-60 years’ old, is 18-20 ft beneath the road. However, it is not clear how the dart sewerage got damaged.

Two school students (siblings), riding an Activa scooter, had fallen in the crater as a big portion of the road caved in. Both were rescued by using a ladder and they received injuries too.

The SDO, MC, Anshul Garcha, said, “We have found that the dart sewer has got damaged. The old sewerage system has become weak. We are working on the site to remove the sewage from the excavated portion. Once the sewage is drained out with super-suction machines, we would be able to know how much the dart sewer has got damaged.”

A group of residents said if the old sewerage system is causing mishaps, it should be replaced. A resident of Deep Nagar said, “Four big road cave-ins have taken place in our area. Now, we live under the fear that such incidents may occur again in future. The MC should install a new sewerage system in our area in place of the old dart system. Moreover, old water supply pipes and connections should be inspected and then further required steps be taken.”

In 2019, a Toyota Fortuner vehicle had fallen into a crater after a big portion of the road had caved in near the spot where the yesterday’s incident occurred at Deep Nagar. When the same road was being constructed several months ago, a road portion had caved-in too, according to residents.

Superintending Engineer, MC Ravinder Garg said they will repair the damaged dart sewerage system at Deep Nagar. Commissioner, MC, Pardeep Kumar Sabharwal said they would take the required measures to avert accidents in future.

Complaint to Human Rights Commission

Following a road cave-in incident at Deep Nagar, a city resident, Arvind Sharma, has complained to the Punjab State Human Rights Commission. He blamed the civic body for the tragedy after two students riding on a scooter had fallen in the big crater as the road portion caved on Thursday.