Pune: Officials from the Geological Survey of India (GSI) inspected the area inside the premises of Pune's Central Post Office on Saturday (September 21), following a dramatic incident where a Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) jetting van fell into a 25-foot-deep sinkhole caused by a sudden ground collapse.
The incident occurred at the British-era post office located at Belbaug Chowk, and fortunately, no one was injured as the driver of the van managed to escape just in time.
According to Sudam Sable, Assistant Superintendent of the City West Division, the Central Post Office has been functioning in this historic building for nearly a century, with its 100th anniversary approaching next year. He added that the affected area has been cordoned off and public access has been restricted until further notice.
The jetting van was deployed to clean the sewage line within the post office premises when the ground suddenly caved in, trapping the vehicle. Immediate inspections suggest that the water found in the sinkhole is clear, leading to speculation that an old well may be present underneath.
GSI officials are conducting further studies, and a report is expected soon. The decision to fill the sinkhole will depend on the findings of the report.
The collapse of ground surfaces, especially in urban areas like Pune, can be attributed to various factors, including blocked natural water streams during construction activities.
Chief Engineer of PMRDA, Vivek Kharvadkar, highlighted that Pune's central areas are known for having natural streams, and such occurrences may be linked to improper management of these water bodies.
Aniruddha Pawaskar, Chief Engineer of the PMC Road Department, clarified that this incident took place on private property and is unrelated to municipal roadwork.
It is believed that an old well may have existed at the location, over which construction was carried out, although no official records or maps are available to confirm this.
