Noida Tragedy: 27-Year-Old Drowns Screaming for Help as Residents Blame Death Trap
A young software professional drowned in a deep drain in Noida's Sector 150 early Saturday morning. Yuvraj Mehta, aged 27, screamed for help for nearly two hours before succumbing. Residents call the area a death trap due to missing basic safety measures.
Car Plunges into Deep Drain in Foggy Conditions
Yuvraj Mehta was returning home around 12:30 AM on Saturday. Driving through dense fog, his car veered off the dark road. It crashed through a broken boundary wall and plunged into a ditch said to be tens of feet deep. The area lacked street lights, barricades, and reflectors.
Mehta managed to climb out of his partially submerged car. He stood on the roof, flashing his phone light and screaming for assistance. His family says his voice was audible, but poor visibility made him hard to see.
Residents and Family Allege Delayed Rescue, Systemic Neglect
Raj Mehta, the victim's father, filed a formal complaint with police. He alleges that police personnel reached the spot but refused to enter the water. They reportedly cited safety concerns and an inability to swim.
Local residents echo long-standing grievances. "We have never had street lights in this area. We lack basic facilities," said Kamini, a resident of Samridhi Luxuriya Avenue. Another resident, Jhalak, claimed even State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) team members said they could not swim. "The person died, flashing his phone light. There have been so many complaints but no action," she stated.
Raj Mehta's complaint also mentions that residents had previously requested the Noida Authority to barricade the drain and install reflectors. No action was taken.
Police File FIR Against Real Estate Companies
Noida police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against two real estate companies. The case invokes sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) related to culpable homicide, causing death by negligence, and endangering life.
Circle Officer Hemant Upadhyay confirmed the registration. "The car is yet to be recovered," he added.
However, one of the named companies, Lotus Greens, issued a statement denying responsibility. The company said the plot in question was transferred to another entity in 2019-20 with Noida Authority approval. "Lotus Greens has no role to play... We understand the family's pain and we are standing with them in getting justice," the statement read.
Officials Cite Rescue Efforts, Announce Action
Additional Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Rajeev Mishra called the incident "very tragic." He stated that local police and the Fire Brigade took "swift action," deploying ladders, cranes, searchlights, and a makeshift boat. The final rescue involved the SDRF. Mishra cited "zero visibility" during the incident and promised strict action against anyone found guilty.
The Noida Authority also responded. It said CEO Lokesh M has taken punitive action. A show-cause notice was issued to officers responsible for traffic work in the area. The services of a junior engineer have been terminated.
This tragic event highlights critical infrastructure gaps in a rapidly developing urban area. It raises serious questions about road safety, civic accountability, and emergency response protocols in Noida.
