Sudden subsidence on National Highway 19 in Asansol: Intense panic surrounding a massive pothole, maintenance questioned
Shyam Das, Asansol: A sudden subsidence on the extremely busy National Highway 19 in the industrial town of Asansol has created a deep crater. This disaster occurred on the Kolkata-bound lane in the area adjacent to the Ethora bridge under Salanpur police station. The sudden collapse of soil on a section of the road, creating a crater about 1 to 1.5 feet deep and wide, has caused extreme panic among pedestrians and vehicle drivers.
According to the National Highway Authority and local sources, the subsidence was noticed late on Friday night. Thousands of small and large vehicles, as well as heavy cargo trucks, move at high speed day and night through this important national highway connecting Kolkata and Delhi. A major disaster could have occurred at any moment due to such a pothole in the darkness of the night. Although no major accident occurred because drivers were alert in time upon seeing the subsidence, the speed of traffic temporarily came to a halt in the area adjacent to the Ethora bridge.
Subsidence due to underground water drainage or underground hollow sections is not new in the industrial town of Asansol and its surrounding mining areas. However, local residents and daily commuters have started raising questions as to how such a subsidence occurred on one of the country's main national highways. Long-distance truck drivers allege that such dangers are being created in important places like the national highway due to a lack of regular monitoring and proper maintenance. They have demanded a quick inspection of the entire road and permanent repairs.
Upon receiving news of the incident, the police of Salanpur police station and a patrolling team of the National Highway Authority reached the spot. Keeping safety in mind, the accident-prone section was quickly cordoned off with barricades and guardrails. Traffic guidelines are also being issued to warn drivers, making it possible to control and normalize traffic movement. Representatives of the National Highway Authority have stated that the damaged portion of the road will be inspected and permanent repair work will be started soon.
