Lucknow: Road caves in near Ekana as rainwater seeps into sandy soil
Rain-Soaked Ground Causes Road Collapse Near Ekana Stadium
Bharatmorning.com – A portion of a road in Lucknow’s CG City has sunk near Ekana Stadium after prolonged rainfall saturated sandy ground beside an under-construction multi-level parking facility. The incident damaged a section of the carriageway and left a nearby streetlight pole bent, leading the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) to close the affected road temporarily.
The collapse occurred along a two-lane road near the project site behind a mall in CG City. The damaged area measures roughly 15 metres in length and five metres in width. Cracks first appeared across one lane before the road surface gave way and settled, creating a safety concern for vehicles and pedestrians using the stretch.
Excavation Site Affected by Heavy Rain
The parking project involves substantial excavation for a proposed triple-basement structure. LDA executive engineer Ajeet Kumar said digging had reached about 22 feet before work was paused with the arrival of the monsoon. The completed basement excavation is planned to extend to nearly 30 feet.
Heavy rain during the previous three days caused water to collect around the excavation zone. The accumulated water entered the surrounding sandy soil, weakening the ground that supports the adjoining road. With the soil affected by seepage, the road edge and surface were unable to remain stable.
“Retaining walls were constructed to prevent soil from shifting during excavation. However, excessive rainwater seepage affected the area, following which the road settled,” officials said.
Retaining walls had been installed as part of the excavation work to hold back surrounding earth and reduce the risk of soil movement. Even so, the volume of rainwater entering the sandy ground appears to have contributed to the settlement seen on the road beside the site.
Road Closed as a Precaution
The LDA has shut the damaged stretch to limit the risk of further collapse while the condition of the ground and road is examined. Plastic sheets have been placed over the cracked section to reduce additional water seepage during rain.
The precaution is particularly important because the affected road is a two-lane route and the visible cracking developed before the surface sank. Restricting access gives engineers room to inspect the site and assess whether nearby portions of the roadway require protective measures as well.
A technical review will establish the precise reason for the failure and determine how extensive the damage is beneath the visible road surface. That inspection is expected to guide the repair work and identify what measures may be needed to stabilise the affected area before traffic can safely return.
Parking Facility Planned for Hundreds of Vehicles
The project next to the damaged road is being developed on a 6,898-square-metre plot behind a mall in CG City. Once built, the facility is intended to provide parking space for around 460 cars and 250 two-wheelers.
Its triple-basement design requires deep excavation, making drainage and soil stability especially important during periods of intense rain. The episode highlights the challenge of maintaining surrounding public infrastructure when large construction pits are exposed to monsoon conditions and water begins collecting near excavated ground.
For residents, visitors and commuters in the Ekana Stadium area, the immediate issue is the temporary closure and the need to avoid the affected route until repairs are completed. The road damage also underscores why cracks, surface depressions and water pooling around active construction zones should be treated seriously, particularly after sustained rainfall.
Executing Agency Directed to Pay for Repairs
The LDA has instructed the agency carrying out the parking project to restore the road at its own expense. The authority has made clear that the contractor will not receive any additional payment for the repair from the LDA.
Repair work will need to address more than the visible break in the road surface. Before resurfacing can provide a lasting solution, the underlying soil condition and the impact of rainwater around the excavation area must be evaluated. The bent streetlight pole and damaged roadway will also require attention as part of making the stretch safe again.
Until the inspection is complete and the necessary restoration is carried out, the closure remains a preventive step intended to protect road users. The incident near Ekana Stadium has brought focus to the effect that heavy rainfall can have on sandy soil around deep construction work, even where retaining structures have already been put in place.
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