A Hyundai Exter fell into a sinkhole after a section of Rajiv Gandhi Salai, also known as the IT Expressway, caved in near Tidel Park in Chennai. The incident occurred during peak-hour traffic, when the micro SUV was travelling from Adyar towards Taramani. A video showing the vehicle plunging into the road collapse has circulated widely on social media, drawing attention to the dangers posed by sudden road cave-ins on busy urban routes.
The incident took place along a major IT corridor used by commuters travelling between residential neighbourhoods and office hubs. The sudden collapse left the vehicle trapped in the opening created by the damaged road surface. The available report does not provide details about the driver’s condition, whether anyone else was injured or the extent of the damage to the vehicle. It also does not specify what caused the road to give way.
The footage has prompted discussion about how drivers should react when a road surface suddenly collapses or signs of subsidence appear ahead. Such incidents can develop with little warning, leaving motorists with limited time to respond. Drivers approaching an area where the road appears cracked, uneven or partially submerged should reduce speed and avoid moving closer to the suspected hazard, provided they can do so safely.
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If a sinkhole opens directly ahead, attempting a sudden high-speed manoeuvre can create additional risks, particularly in heavy traffic. A driver should brake firmly but in a controlled manner, maintain steering control and avoid swerving into nearby vehicles, pedestrians or oncoming traffic. If there is sufficient distance and a clearly safe alternative, the driver may steer away from the affected section. However, no manoeuvre can guarantee safety when the ground collapses unexpectedly beneath a moving vehicle.
Motorists should also avoid driving through water-covered sections of road when the condition of the surface underneath cannot be assessed. Water can conceal cracks, depressions and areas where the road structure has weakened. If a dangerous section is visible, drivers should keep their distance, alert other road users when safe to do so and report the hazard to the relevant authorities. Following traffic instructions and temporary barricades is especially important around damaged roads.
The Chennai incident has renewed attention on road safety and the need for timely inspection and maintenance of busy transport corridors. Authorities may need to assess the affected stretch near Tidel Park to establish why the collapse occurred and determine whether nearby sections require inspection. Until the cause is confirmed, it would be premature to attribute the incident to a particular infrastructure failure. The circulating video illustrates how quickly a road hazard can turn into a serious emergency, even during an ordinary commute.
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