A tragic incident occurred in north Delhi's Mukundpur area on Sunday when a two-year-old girl lost her life after falling into an uncovered drain. The incident sparked outrage among family members and local residents, who briefly blocked a road to protest against the alleged negligence of authorities and demand strict action against responsible government officials.
Details of the Incident
The child, identified as Asvi Kesari, went missing around 11 am while playing outside her home. A frantic search involving relatives and neighbors ensued, covering the area for hours. Suspicion grew that she might have fallen into the uncovered drain running along Mukundpur Ram Janaki Path in Ishu Vihar. It was only in the afternoon that the child was discovered trapped in thick sludge inside the drain. She was rushed to a nearby government hospital, where doctors declared her dead upon arrival.
Allegations of Negligence
Residents claimed that the drain cover had been removed three to four days ago by the flood control department and was never replaced. A local resident stated, "This is sheer negligence. Similar accidents have occurred at this same spot before, and some people were rescued in time." Vivek Singh, a neighbor and relative, explained that the drain is at least four feet deep. While adults might manage to climb out if they slip, for a small child, falling into such a drain can be disastrous, especially since no one witnessed the fall.
Family Background
Asvi was the only child of her parents. Her father runs a small grocery shop, and her mother is a homemaker. The family was inconsolable following the accident, with relatives and neighbors gathering to offer support.
Previous Similar Incidents
This is not an isolated case in Delhi. In August of the previous year, an eight-year-old boy died after falling into an open drain in the Najafgarh area while chasing a kite. In May, a three-year-old boy drowned in another open drain while playing outside his house in northeast Delhi's Khajuri Khas. These recurring incidents highlight a persistent issue of neglected infrastructure and inadequate safety measures.
Public Outrage and Demands
The death sparked anger among locals, who called it a glaring case of negligence. They demanded strict action against officials of the flood control department, alleging that repeated warnings about the open drain had been ignored. The road blockade was a form of protest to draw attention to their demands for accountability and improved safety measures to prevent future tragedies.
