Massive Sinkhole on National Highway 44 Disrupts Delhi Amid Heavy Rain
On the morning of September 4, 2025, a massive sinkhole on National Highway 44 near the Alipur Flyover in Delhi brought one of the capital’s busiest roads to a standstill, exacerbating the chaos caused by relentless rainfall. The collapse, which occurred around 7 AM, narrowly avoided a major tragedy but sparked widespread traffic disruptions, highlighting the city’s vulnerability to extreme weather and infrastructure challenges. As Delhi grapples with waterlogging, a swollen Yamuna River, and ongoing monsoon mayhem, this incident has raised urgent questions about urban planning and preparedness.
A Close Call on NH-44
The sinkhole formed when a portion of the National Highway 44 flyover caved in, creating a gaping crater that briefly trapped an auto-rickshaw, its front wheel sinking into the void. Quick action by authorities ensured the vehicle was safely removed, and no injuries were reported. The Delhi Traffic Police swiftly barricaded the area and diverted traffic, averting a potential disaster just before peak morning commute hours. Visuals from the scene, shared widely on social media, showed the alarming scale of the collapse, with the road surface crumbling under the pressure of heavy rain.
This incident is part of a broader pattern of infrastructure failures in Delhi triggered by unprecedented rainfall. The city has been battered by what the India Meteorological Department (IMD) described as the wettest August in 15 years, with 399.8 mm of rainfall recorded. The relentless downpour continued into September, pushing the Yamuna River above the danger mark at 207 meters and flooding low-lying areas like Vasudev Ghat.
Traffic Chaos and Public Frustration
The sinkhole on NH-44, a critical artery connecting Delhi to northern states, caused severe traffic snarls, with vehicles crawling for hours. Commuters reported delays stretching across key routes like Mathura Road, Krishna Menon Marg, and Feroz Shah Kotla Road, where waterlogging compounded the chaos. Social media platforms, particularly X, were flooded with complaints, with users sharing images of submerged roads and stranded vehicles. One user remarked, “Delhi is turning into a lake. NH-44 is a mess, and no one seems prepared for this.”
The disruption wasn’t limited to NH-44. Nearby areas like Sonipat saw key intersections on the highway submerged under several feet of water, while the Shani Mandir railway underpass became a pool, further isolating commuters. The Delhi Traffic Police reported slow movement on multiple stretches, including the Delhi-Noida-Direct (DND) flyway, Vikas Marg, and Rohtak Road, as teams worked to manage congestion and assist stranded commuters.
Why Do Sinkholes Form?
Sinkholes, like the one on NH-44, are often linked to heavy rainfall and poor infrastructure maintenance. According to geological experts, excessive water from prolonged rain can erode soil beneath road surfaces, especially in areas with weak or aging infrastructure. In urban settings like Delhi, clogged drainage systems and inadequate desilting exacerbate the problem, allowing water to seep into the ground and create voids that eventually collapse. A similar incident in 2023 saw a massive crater form in Delhi’s Rohini area after record-breaking rainfall, underscoring the recurring nature of these events.
The NH-44 sinkhole likely resulted from a combination of factors: relentless monsoon rains, poor drainage, and potential wear on the flyover’s foundation. Delhi’s aging infrastructure, coupled with rapid urbanization, has made such incidents more frequent, with previous sinkholes reported in areas like Dwarka and RK Puram.
Political Blame Game
The incident has sparked a political firestorm, with opposition parties slamming the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government for failing to maintain Delhi’s infrastructure. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) accused the BJP of neglecting desilting efforts, with AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj quipping, “The BJP should sell its four engines and buy four boats instead.” The Delhi Congress also criticized the government, pointing to unaddressed issues in storm water drains and road repairs. In response, the BJP claimed swift action mitigated the impact, with Chief Minister Rekha Gupta personally assessing the situation and promising assistance.
A City Under Water
Delhi’s woes extend beyond the NH-44 sinkhole. The Yamuna River, swollen by heavy inflows from upstream barrages like Hathnikund, has crossed the danger mark, prompting evacuations in low-lying areas. Authorities have closed the Old Railway Bridge and banned idol immersions to prevent further risks. Across the National Capital Region (NCR), cities like Gurugram and Noida are also reeling from waterlogged roads and massive traffic jams, with a 7-kilometer snarl reported on the Delhi-Jaipur highway.
The IMD has forecast continued rain, with a “generally cloudy sky with moderate rain” expected on September 5, followed by thunderstorms through September 8. This prolonged wet spell has raised fears of further infrastructure damage and disruptions, with authorities urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel.
Calls for Action
The NH-44 sinkhole has reignited calls for better urban planning and infrastructure resilience in Delhi. Experts advocate for regular maintenance of drainage systems, timely desilting, and investment in modern road construction techniques to prevent such collapses. The Delhi Jal Board and Public Works Department, which previously repaired a sinkhole under the IIT-Delhi flyover in record time, are under pressure to act swiftly to restore NH-44.
Residents and activists are also demanding long-term solutions, such as upgrading drainage networks and enforcing stricter building codes. Posts on X reflect public frustration, with one user stating, “Delhi’s infrastructure crumbles every monsoon. When will we see real change?” Others have called for accountability, urging the government to prioritize public safety over political sparring.
Conclusion
The massive sinkhole on National Highway 44 is a stark reminder of Delhi’s vulnerability to extreme weather and the urgent need for infrastructure reform. As heavy rains continue to batter the capital, causing traffic chaos, waterlogging, and now structural collapses, the incident underscores the broader challenges of urban resilience in the face of climate change. While authorities work to repair the damage and restore normalcy, the event has sparked a critical conversation about preparing India’s cities for an increasingly unpredictable future. For now, Delhiites brace for more rain, hoping for swift action to keep their city moving.
Sources: ABP Live, The Times of India, India Today, ANI, The Tribune
