Gurgaon: A section of Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway caved in at Narsingpur on Tuesday evening after heavy rain, forcing closure of two lanes on the carriageway towards Jaipur and causing tailbacks during rush hour.The cave-in occurred at the spot where GMDA is constructing a stormwater drainage culvert beneath NH-8 using trenchless technology. It left a 10-foot-long and 8-foot-wide crater in the middle of the expressway, prompting traffic police to barricade the stretch and divert vehicles. Tailbacks extended up to IFFCO Chowk, with commuters stranded for more than two hours.“The cave-in occurred on a portion of NH-8 near Narsinghpur (Delhi-Jaipur side) was localised. Traffic management measures have been put in place. NHAI is extending all necessary support and is closely coordinating with the executing agency to facilitate early restoration and ensure safe movement of traffic. The situation is being continuously monitored,” an NHAI statement said.Officials said GMDA is constructing the culvert to improve drainage network along the expressway. The project involves pushing three 900mm diameter pipelines beneath the highway through trenchless technology, which allows underground construction without excavating the carriageway or disrupting traffic. Two of the three pipelines were being laid when the road surface collapsed.Preliminary findings suggested that rainwater entered through utility ducts and seeped beneath the highway, washing away supporting soil and causing the surface to settle. “The exact cause will be confirmed after a detailed inspection. Prima facie, it appears that water ingress beneath the carriageway caused the surface to settle,” an NHAI official said.A senior GMDA official said teams reached the site soon after the incident and started restoration work. “Rectification will be carried out at the earliest. We are assessing the extent of the damage,” the official said.To ease congestion, police announced diversions for vehicles travelling towards Jaipur. A traffic police officer said vehicles coming from Delhi were advised to take Dwarka Expressway from Shiv Murti and rejoin NH-8 through the cloverleaf interchange before proceeding towards Manesar and Jaipur.“Traffic coming from Rajiv Chowk and Hero Honda Chowk towards Jaipur has been diverted via Subhash Chowk, Vatika Chowk and Southern Peripheral Road (SPR) before merging back with NH-8 near Manesar. We have also coordinated with Delhi Police to regulate the incoming traffic,” the officer said.The cave-in caused major delays during the evening rush, with journeys that usually take 20 to 30 minutes stretching beyond two hours.“I was returning to Sector 83 from Delhi’s Mahipalpur when traffic suddenly came to a standstill. I remained stuck for more than two hours before taking the diversion through Sector 10 and the Dwarka Expressway. Many people were unaware of diversions, which created confusion,” said Dharam Veer Singh, a resident of Mapsko Casabella.Arpit Singh, another commuter, who was travelling from Cyber City to Sector 81, said congestion had built up much before the cave-in site.“Alternative routes were equally congested. It took me over two and half hours to reach home,” he said.
