A section of road and the open space outside a shop caved in during construction of a creek bridge in Surat’s Simada area early Thursday, prompting the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) to stabilise the ground, shut a water pipeline and issue a notice to the project agency.
The ground gave way as excavation work continued in the creek, causing part of the road to sink along with a wall in front of the shop. The incident triggered concern among local residents about the stability of the adjoining structure.
SMC officials began filling the affected stretch with soil to prevent further subsidence and protect the shop structure. The civic body said its immediate priority was to secure the building and contain the damage around the sunken section.
Officials also identified a water pipeline running beneath the affected area and temporarily shut the supply as a precaution. The step was intended to allow repair and stabilisation work to proceed safely and reduce the risk of water leakage worsening the ground failure.
The municipal corporation has served a notice on the agency executing the creek bridge project and sought an explanation for the incident. The agency has also been directed to compensate the affected shopkeepers for losses caused by the damage.
“ Our first priority was to ensure the safety of the shop structure, and it is safe now. We have served a notice on the agency constructing the bridge. The damage to the shop will be compensated by the agency under the provisions of its risk insurance cover,” an SMC official said.
Further inspections and corrective measures are underway to assess the extent of the damage and confirm the stability of the affected road and adjoining area. The contractor’s explanation and the findings of the ongoing inspection will determine the next steps on the bridge construction site.
