The road connects Delhi and Noida to Ghaziabad
The National Highway 24, the arterial road which connects Delhi to Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh, witnessed massive traffic jams after part of the road caved in early this morning.
The 10-foot deep ditch appeared approximately 12 km from the Delhi border. The police have blocked the road and are diverting traffic. The authorities do not expect the situation to be resolved before tonight.
The District Magistrate of Ghaziabad, Vimal Kumar Sharma, said there is an underground Ganga water pipeline running through the area. The leakage from it has caused the cave-in, he said.
The reason for the leakage is not clear yet and the authorities - including the district magistrate, police and the Ghaziabad municipal corporation - are investigating the matter.
This pipeline supplies water to Delhi and protesting Jat groups have been known to target this earlier. Though the authorities have ruled out sabotage this time, an officer said it was a matter of concern that the leakage was not detected earlier.
The 438-km highway connects Delhi to the satellite towns of Noida and Ghaziabad and extends till Lucknow. It usually sees heavy traffic.
"Work to repair the road is on. Personnel from the National Highway Authorities are on the job and the road should be ready for traffic by late tonight," said Mr Sharma.