Surat: A sinkhole suddenly opened up on Friday right in front of the Chief Fire Officer’s office, adjacent to the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) headquarters, triggering panic in the busy civic precinct.The cave-in occurred on a main road that witnesses heavy traffic throughout the day, raising immediate safety concerns in the densely crowded area.The affected spot lies just a few feet from where heavy fire engines were parked, fuelling fears of further subsidence and possible damage. Motorists slowed down abruptly while pedestrians gathered around the site as officials rushed in and cordoned off the stretch to prevent accidents.SMC officials said preliminary inspections revealed that no major underground utility line — such as a water pipeline or sewer — passed beneath the spot. They attributed the sinkhole to soil disturbance linked to nearby metro construction activity. A metro tunnel was recently built in the vicinity, and officials said the ongoing work may have caused ground instability.Residents and commuters pointed out that similar sinkholes had appeared at a couple of locations in the area in recent months, heightening concerns about road safety and the impact of large-scale infrastructure work.Repair work began soon after the incident, with an earth mover deployed to fill and level the cavity. However, the operation led to a major traffic jam in the area, leaving several civic officials and motorists stranded for a considerable time.
