A 27-year-old software engineer drowned after his car plunged into a deep, water-filled drainage ditch in Noida on Friday night, triggering widespread outrage among residents over alleged civic negligence and poor road safety measures.
The victim, Yuvraj Mehta, was returning home from work when the accident occurred near Sector 150 amid dense fog. Police said Mehta’s car collided with a raised boundary separating two drainage basins and fell into a nearly 70-foot-deep ditch filled with water.
According to eyewitnesses, the absence of reflectors and warning signage along the service road made the ridge virtually invisible in poor visibility conditions. Passers-by reportedly heard Mehta’s cries for help and attempted to rescue him, but the vehicle quickly became fully submerged.
In a distressing final call to his father, Rajkumar Mehta, the techie pleaded for help. “Dad, I've fallen into a deep pit filled with water. I'm drowning. Please come and save me. I don't want to die,” he said.
Within minutes, local police teams, divers and personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) reached the spot and launched a rescue operation. Mehta’s father also arrived at the site as efforts continued through the night.
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After nearly five hours of rescue work, the car was finally pulled out of the ditch. Mehta, however, was declared dead.
Following the incident, the victim’s family lodged a complaint alleging gross negligence by the authorities, citing the absence of reflectors and uncovered drains along the service road. The lack of basic safety infrastructure, particularly during foggy conditions, led to the fatal accident, Mehta’s father alleged.
Knowledge Park Police Station in-charge Sarvesh Kumar said any negligence would be thoroughly investigated and legal action taken where necessary.
The Noida Police subsequently registered a First Information Report (FIR) against two builders, MJ Wishtown Planner Limited and Lotus Green Construction Private Limited, based on the complaint.
The tragedy sparked protests by local residents, who accused authorities of ignoring repeated demands for reflectors and safety signage. Protesters shouted slogans and blamed civic apathy for the loss of life.
Soon after the incident, authorities filled the ditch with tonnes of garbage and debris, drawing further criticism from locals who questioned the timing of the action.
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