In an incident that could have put motorists under serious risk, a section of road at the busy Goripalayam junction caved in on Thursday morning when an underground sewage line burst open, sending streams of sewage water along the adjacent roads.
The incident took place right in front of Albert Victor bridge, leading to traffic congestion in the area. Eyewitness accounts said that the junction and nearby roads, particularly the one leading to Alwarpuram, was filled with sewage for more about an hour.
A police personnel on duty at the signal said that at least two motorbikes that were crossing the spot when the pipeline burst almost fell down after losing control. “The signal for vehicles going towards Albert Victor bridge was on red. Hence, the number of vehicles crossing the spot were a few. Otherwise, the impact could have been more,” he added.
S. Murugan, who works at a shopping complex near the spot, said that it looked as if the area was flooded. “However, it drained soon since the water ran towards the low lying Vaigai riverbed,” he said.
Officials swung into action to shut the flow along the pipeline so that water gushing out onto the road was stopped. A senior engineering official from Madurai Corporation said that the pipeline carried sewage water pumped from Sellur to Munthiri Thoppu, from where it will, in turn, be taken to Sakkimangalam.
“The pipeline at the particular spot was around 30 years old and perhaps it could not sustain pressure. We are taking all remedial measures,” he said.
When asked about a similar incident occurring a few months ago on Palam Station Road and Sivaganga Road junction, he said that pipelines in some of the areas in Madurai city have become really old and were in need for replacement.
“We are periodically checking them. Despite our efforts, when there is a sudden pressure due to an increased flow of sewage, such incidents take place,” he added.
Assuring that the pipeline will be replaced by Thursday night, the official, however, said that vehicles will not be allowed at the specific spot for a few more days. “The spot will be barricaded. It will not completely block vehicle movement on Albert Victor bridge since the spot was on one side of the road,” he added.
