Days After Noida Techie's Death, Car Plunges Into Open Drain in Sector 70; Residents Allege Negligence

Noida: Barely weeks after the tragic death of a young techie in a deep waterlogged pit in Sector 150, another car slipped into an open drain in Sector 70 Phase-3 late on Thursday night, reigniting concerns over road safety and infrastructure negligence in Noida.

According to preliminary reports, the vehicle - parked near Basai village in Sector 70, suddenly slipped into an uncovered drain without any warning signs or safety barricades. Thankfully, the vehicle’s owner managed to exit the car safely, and no injuries were reported. Locals alerted the Phase-3 police, but no one reached the spot. Residents oversaw the rescue operation and pulled the car out.

Residents have accused civic authorities of lack of safety measures, saying that the stretch lacked reflectors, warning boards, and proper barricading, making it particularly hazardous at night. They pointed to this incident as another example of repeated negligence by relevant agencies responsible for road and public safety.

This new incident comes days after the widespread anger over a fatal accident in Sector 150 in mid-January when 27-year-old software engineer Yuvraj Mehta died after his SUV plunged into a deep, water-filled construction pit amid dense fog. Mehta had been returning home from work when his car broke through a weak roadside boundary and fell into the excavation. Despite prolonged rescue efforts involving police, fire services, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), he could not be saved.

The earlier tragedy triggered public outrage, with residents accusing the Noida Authority and builders of failing to secure hazardous sites. Subsequent actions included the arrest of a real estate director, termination and show-cause notices against traffic officials, and a special investigation ordered by authorities.

Residents have repeatedly urged civic bodies to install temporary covers, reflectors, street lights and barricades at identified risk zones to prevent further accidents. The latest event in Sector 70 underscores ongoing concerns about urban infrastructure safety and the need for prompt corrective action. 

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