The tragic death of a 27-year-old software engineer, Yuvraj Mehta, in Noida has sparked outrage and prompted swift action from authorities. Mehta died early Saturday morning after his car plunged into a water-filled pit at an under-construction site in Sector 150, Greater Noida.
After nearly four days, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) retrieved Mehta's car from the waterlogged pit on Tuesday evening. The recovery operation, which involved cranes and motorized boats, was hampered by the depth of the pit and murky water. The car was found approximately 60 meters from the road.
The incident occurred as Mehta was returning home from his office in Gurugram amidst dense fog. His car reportedly skidded, broke through a drain boundary, and fell into the pit, which was dug for the basement of a commercial complex. Mehta allegedly remained alive for nearly two hours after the accident, desperately calling for help.
Mehta's family has alleged serious negligence by local authorities and real estate developers. His father, Raj Kumar Mehta, asserted that the absence of barricades, reflectors, and adequate lighting contributed to the accident. He also criticized the delayed rescue efforts, stating that the lack of divers on the scene cost his son's life. According to Raj Kumar, his son was struggling and calling for help while people at the site were filming the incident. He is demanding strict accountability to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The family is reportedly seeking a meeting with the Chief Minister to discuss the case and ensure justice for Yuvraj.
Taking cognizance of the incident, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered a high-level Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe. The SIT, headed by the Additional Director General (ADG) of the Meerut Zone, includes the Meerut Divisional Commissioner and the Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department (PWD). The team has been instructed to submit its report within five days. The Chief Minister also directed officials to identify and rectify accident-prone spots across Uttar Pradesh.
In the wake of the incident, the Uttar Pradesh government removed Lokesh M from the position of CEO of the Noida Authority and placed him on a waitlist. Show-cause notices have been issued to other officials responsible for traffic management in the area.
Police have arrested Abhay Kumar, an official of MZ Wiztown Planners, one of the real estate developers named in the FIR. The FIR was lodged against MZ Wiztown Planners and Lotus Greens based on a complaint by Yuvraj Mehta's father, alleging culpable homicide not amounting to murder and other charges.
The incident has also sparked political debate, with opposition parties criticizing the alleged failure of disaster management bodies. Locals have staged protests, holding the Noida Authority and area developers responsible for negligence. They claim that repeated requests for safety measures, such as barricading, reflectors, and proper lighting, were ignored.
