Chandigarh, Sept. 10 -- With neighbouring Mohali district suffering Rs.64 crore in losses from heavy rains and floods over the past fortnight, Chandigarh too has been left grappling with 35 road cave-ins triggered by ageing underground pipelines, threatening a severe financial blow to the already cash-strapped municipal corporation.

According to details compiled by the MC's road wing, leakages and breakages in decades-old underground water, sewer and stormwater drainage lines have caused significant soil erosion beneath city roads, leading to the sinkholes.

While the civic body has yet to make an official assessment of financial losses, officials estimate the repair works could run into several crores. The repair process will be time-co...