2025 Tanjong Katong sinkhole: Charges brought against construction company & director, PUB issued conditional warning

Charges have been brought against seven parties following the conclusion of investigations into the 2025 Tanjong Katong Road South sinkhole incident, the Building Construction Authority (BCA), Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and Land Transport Authority (LTA) said in a media release on Jun. 11, 2026.

The national water agency, PUB, was also issued a conditional warning for offences under the Building Control Act.

A sinkhole opened adjacent to a worksite along Tanjong Katong Road South in the evening of Jul. 26, 2025.

One person was rescued after the car she was travelling in fell into the sinkhole.

The worksite was for a PUB project.

What happened

The worksite beside the sinkhole involved the construction of a shaft to connect three new sewer pipelines, the authorities said.

The works involved the use of high-pressure water to cut through the soil and injecting cement grout to strengthen the soil.

They also involved the installation of reinforced concrete caisson rings to provide structural support and prevent soil collapse during deep excavation.

At about 5:50pm on Jul. 26, 2025, part of the shaft that was under construction allegedly failed, leading to soil ingress into the shaft.

Around the same time, a sinkhole formed at Tanjong Katong Road South, and a car and its driver fell into it.

The driver was rescued by workers from the worksite and taken conscious to the hospital, the authorities noted.

Seven parties face charges

According to the authorities, charges will be brought against the following parties:

• Ohin Construction Co Pte Ltd (the builder)
• Ong Khiaw Yang Ivan (Ohin Construction's managing director)
• Raajkumar s/o Nadarajan (project director)
• Sellappan Saravanakumar (project manager)
• Kee Chen Siang (Qualified Person)
• Yau Tze Yin (Qualified Person)
• Senthilnathan Mathyalakan (resident engineer)

The alleged offending conduct by the seven parties includes the carrying out of unauthorised building works and road resurfacing.

These works did not comply with approved plans.

The works also proceeded without adequate risk assessment and adequate safe work procedures, the authorities said.

Licensing and supervisory failures were also found, in which specialist building works were carried out without the requisite license. There were also failures in the discharge of supervisory duties.

Additionally, mandatory tests that were stipulated under the approved plans were not carried out.

An operational video surveillance system was not maintained at the worksite at the time of the incident, the authorities stated.

The relevant authorities were also not notified of the road depression that had occurred prior to the sinkhole formation.

False declarations regarding the appointment of a site supervisor were also found to have been made.

According to CNA, a representative for Ohin Construction told the court that the company is under provisional liquidation.

PUB issued conditional warning

National water agency PUB and Surbana Jurong Consultants Pte Ltd were given conditional warnings for offences under the Building Control Act.

Works for the project remain halted, and the new project parties to be appointed by PUB will have to submit new structural plans, which will be assessed and approved by BCA.

In a media statement, PUB said that the internal investigation convened by the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment has recommended that PUB strengthen its processes for identifying and responding to irregularities in projects carried out by contractors.

These include escalating irregularities to the relevant authorities.

The panel also recommended that PUB "reinforce the roles and responsibilities of parties involved in its construction projects, including through its regular industry engagements".

PUB said it has implemented the recommendations.

"PUB will continue to work closely with the relevant agencies and stakeholders to ensure full compliance with its statutory obligations, and that the highest safety standards are upheld across its construction projects," PUB also said.

With regards to the breaches by its contractor, Ohin Construction Co. Pte Ltd, PUB said it takes a "serious view" towards the lapses and has terminated its contract with Ohin for this project.

It has also blacklisted Ohin for a period of 18 months starting August 2025, which entails denying Ohin any new PUB projects for the duration.

Review and inspections across similar worksites

Following the incident, BCA conducted a review of more than 60 similar ongoing projects and found no safety issues.

MOM also conducted inspections on various construction sites and took enforcement actions for safety lapses.

BCA, MOM and LTA said they take a "serious view" of any safety or compliance breaches that place the public at risk.

"This incident demonstrates the critical importance of proper supervision and adherence to safety protocols," the authorities said.

"Enforcement action will be taken against public sector agencies, companies and individuals who fail to fulfil their statutory duties," they added.