Tragedy Strikes as Young Boy Feared Drowned in Ganga Canal in Noida
A four-year-old boy is feared drowned after he slipped into the Ganga canal while playing outside his home in Dolarajpura village of Dankaur, Noida, on Friday evening. The incident has sparked a frantic search operation involving multiple agencies, yet the child remains untraced for over 24 hours, casting a shadow of grief over the community.
Details of the Incident
The boy, identified as Adnan, son of a shuttering contractor, was playing with his elder brother and sister near the canal, approximately 200 metres from their house. Around 6 pm, he lost his balance and fell into the water, swept away by the strong current. His brother, Junaid (16), who had just retrieved a floating coconut for him, attempted a rescue but was overpowered by the swift flow.
Villagers rushed to the spot upon hearing the alarm, with some jumping into the canal to locate the child. However, the fading light and the canal's depth of about five-and-a-half feet in the area made the search extremely challenging. "Within seconds, Adnan was out of sight," said his father, Israr, adding that darkness had set in by 7 pm, further complicating efforts.
Rescue Operations Intensify
The family informed local police around 7.30 pm, prompting an immediate night-long search with local divers. On Saturday morning, teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) joined the operation, deploying boats, divers, and specialized equipment. Approximately 35 personnel, including deep divers, were mobilized to scour the canal.
To aid the rescue, the irrigation department reduced the water flow in the canal upon request from SDM Sadar Ashutosh Gupta, lowering the level by about a foot by Saturday afternoon. Despite these measures, the depth and speed of the current continued to hamper progress, and the boy could not be traced by evening. The search was temporarily called off at 6 pm but is scheduled to resume on Sunday.
Family's Agony and Safety Concerns
For Adnan's family, the wait has been agonizing. Israr revealed that Adnan had undergone surgery for a kidney stone just a month prior, and his mother has not eaten since the incident. "The police and administration are doing everything they can. I still have hope that my son will be found alive," he expressed.
The tragedy has underscored the dangers posed by unfenced canals in densely populated areas. Villagers noted that the canal, which runs along an unpaved road, lacks boundary walls, railings, or fencing, making it hazardous, especially for children who often play nearby. Neeraj Tyagi, executive engineer of the irrigation department, stated that no construction or habitation is permitted within 18 metres of the Ganga Nahar canal as per norms, but there is no provision for fencing.
Broader Context of Safety Issues in Noida
This incident echoes similar safety lapses in Noida. For instance, on January 16, software engineer Yuvraj Mehta died after his SUV plunged into an unbarricaded trench at an under-construction site. A survey following that tragedy revealed numerous deep excavations along busy roads in sectors like 32, 85, 150, and 154, many lacking basic safety measures such as barricades, warning signs, or reflective markers.
These recurring accidents highlight a critical need for improved infrastructure safety protocols in urban areas to prevent such tragedies in the future.
