Potholes are common in Mumbai but a shocking 8-ft deep and 10-inch wide crack has appeared at Zacharia Bunder Marg in Sewree on Tuesday indicating a possible road cave in. The crack is another reminder of the angers of old underground utilities.

H A Kale, assistant municipal commissioner said, “This seems to have occurred due to soil erosion as a result of a leaking pipeline below the road.” The portion of the road was block and the traffic was diverted for the works.

There is a storm water drain and a 48-inch main water pipeline below the road, according to an official. The crack did not cause traffic jams but remains a concern, according to officials.

The officials found hallow developed under the road and this could lead to a road cave in. The underground utilities have cause cracks and cave in at various places in Mumbai. Last week a portion of a newly relaid road caved in near Five Gardens in Matunga.

An underground storm water drain had caused 20 ft deep hole on Dr Narayan Hardikar road in Worli in July. The total number of road cave-ins in the past two years has touched 12.