Experts claim sinkholes are part of active urbanisation

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) clarified to The Straits Times yesterday regarding its procedures for road maintenance. LTA revealed major roads and highways are inspected every two weeks while smaller roads are inspected every eight weeks for any defects like potholes, cracks and other irregularitie. They also added inspections are carried out immediately when members of the public call in.

Regarding the increasing number of sinkholes, experts cited that it is a usual occurrence for the rapid urbanisation that Singapore is currently undergoing. Despite this, they admitted existing safety measures could be tightened to prevent the number of incidents - especially in a country that sits on a complex network of utility lines such as power cables, water pipes and sewage lines running underground at depths of up to 6 metres.

Experts also went on to explain, road cave-ins could have been caused by several factors including water pipe leakages, excavation works and rainwater, which may erode the sand and silt underground. They also explained Singapore's highly built-up environment causes erosion, which happens gradually underground, and is harder to detect until a sinkhole appears.

LTA also cited it conducts engineering assessments, which check the geological properties on the ground, for several years before commencing any road or rail construction. It also looks out for any unexpected ground movements around the project when works are carried out.