A large sinkhole suddenly opened at about 5pm on July 26, 2025, along Tanjong Katong Road South, causing two lanes to collapse and swallowing a car driven by a woman who was injured and hospitalized [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]. The sinkhole formed next to a Public Utilities Board (PUB) worksite where a 16-meter-deep shaft was under construction to link sewer lines [1, 2, 3, 6].
Ohin Construction was the licensed specialist builder responsible for ground support and stabilisation works at the site [3, 4, 5]. On June 11, 2026, the company and six individuals tied to it were charged in court with eight counts relating to the sinkhole incident [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]. The charges span violations under the Street Works Act, Workplace Safety and Health Act, its regulations, and the Building Control Act [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6].
The charges include failure to carry out works per approved structural plans, constructing 27 jet grout piles with smaller diameters than specified, omitting required penetration and strength tests, unauthorized openings in concrete caisson rings, and failure to notify authorities promptly after noticing road depression [3, 4, 5]. The caisson rings provide structural support for deep excavations; one was found cast in a non-circular shape, indicating improper construction [1, 3, 4, 5].
Six individuals charged are managing director Ivan Ong Khiaw Yang (64), project director Raajkumar Nadarajan (58), project manager Sellappan Saravanakumar (35), qualified persons Kee Chen Siang (39) and Yau Tze Yin (49), and resident engineer Senthilnathan Mathyalakan (56) [3, 4, 5, 6]. Ohin Construction is now under provisional liquidation, with a liquidator present in court [4, 5].
Prior to the sinkhole, road depression was noted on July 15, 2025, but Ohin Construction failed to immediately notify authorities as required by regulations [3, 4, 5]. PUB’s briefing flagged a concrete caisson ring showing signs of failure around the sinkhole formation time [1, 2]. PUB and Surbana Jurong Consultants received conditional warnings under the Building Control Act linked to the incident [6].
The Building and Construction Authority will carry out an independent investigation, while the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment will convene an internal panel to examine the cause of the sinkhole [1, 2]. The next court hearing for the Ohin Construction cases is scheduled for July 2026 [4, 5].
