NH portion caves in, Kochi Metro services hit

Kochi: A portion of the National Highway caved in at Muttom on Wednesday and a crater formed there resulting in temporary diversion of traffic and stoppage of Kochi Metro services. The nearly100-squarefeet wide crater was formed on the speed track lane of the four-lane NH 66.

"The deep hole at the middle of the highway was first noticed by some two-wheel riders around 9 am near SCMS college in the Aluva-Ernakulam direction. Upon inspection, we're shocked to find that the crater is nearly seven-feet deep," said Aluva Traffic police.

According to cops, it could have resulted in a mishap if some vehicles were passing through the area at the time of the road caving in. Soon, the cops blocked traffic along the speed track portion and diverted vehicles through the other side. This resulted in traffic congestion.

The Metro services too were stopped immediately as the crater was formed near one of the metro pillars. "The earth beneath the road caved in and the basement of the pillar could be seen through the hole. We stopped the services fearing possible damage to the pillar," said a Metro official.

An expert team soon inspected the pillar and the Metro services resumed after an hour when it was found that the structure suffered no damage."We're examining the reason for the formation of the crater. One factor could be the recent floods when the area was inundated and the earth beneath could have washed out," the official said.