Greater Noida: A tragic accident claimed the life of a 45-year-old hospital manager from Faridabad after his motorcycle plunged into a 7-foot-deep pit on an under-construction road in Dankaur area late Sunday night. The road was intended to connect Faridabad to the Noida International Airport via the Eastern Peripheral Expressway. The victim, Atul Kumar Joshi, lay injured at the bottom of the pit for several hours before being discovered by passersby around 8 am on Monday.
Details of the Incident
Joshi, a resident of New Industrial Township-1 in Faridabad, was traveling towards Greater Noida via the Manjhawali bridge when the accident occurred. The incomplete road lacked signage, reflective markings, and adequate lighting, leading police to believe that Joshi may not have realized the road ended past the bridge and fell into the pit. He first hit a mound of excavated soil before his bike toppled into the pit. Despite wearing a helmet, he sustained serious injuries, including a deep wound to his nose caused by the visor upon impact.
Rescue and Medical Response
Local residents noticed Joshi lying in the pit around 8 am on Monday and alerted the police. A team from Dankaur police station pulled him out and rushed him to a nearby hospital. However, he had lost excessive blood by then. He was later referred to the Government Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS) in Greater Noida, where doctors declared him dead. An autopsy confirmed head injuries as the cause of death, and his body was handed over to his family.
Police Investigation
Police stated that Joshi had left home around noon on Sunday, telling his family he was going swimming in Tigaon, Haryana. They suspect that while returning late at night, he mistakenly took a wrong turn onto the incomplete road instead of heading towards Faridabad. As of Tuesday, no formal complaint had been filed by the family. Dankaur station house officer Manoj Kumar said action would be taken upon receipt of a complaint, and police are examining all aspects of the incident.
Safety Concerns at Incomplete Infrastructure
The accident has reignited concerns about safety at incomplete infrastructure projects in the region. The Faridabad Public Works Department (PWD) constructed a 630-meter, four-lane bridge in December 2022, which will further connect to the Yamuna Expressway, approximately four kilometers away. However, the approach road on the Greater Noida side remains incomplete due to a land acquisition dispute. Residents noted that the Manjhawali-Greater Noida link road was inaugurated nearly six months ago but remains unfinished. Motorists continue to use tracks through agricultural fields to cut travel time.
Local Resident's Account
A local resident described the route as uneven and difficult to navigate, yet it draws heavy daily traffic. Vehicles frequently get stuck on the rough surface, but authorities have neither restricted access nor installed adequate warning signs. PWD (GB Nagar) Executive Engineer Kanchan Singh stated that the bridge was developed by the Haryana government. There are some issues with land for the approach road on their side, and they aim to acquire the land and develop the approach road within a year.
