New Delhi: The death of a young software professional in Noida has triggered a sharp political response and renewed scrutiny of urban infrastructure and administrative accountability. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi described the incident as a stark example of what he termed India’s “urban collapse”, arguing that such tragedies stem not from lack of resources or technology but from a failure of responsibility.
The remarks followed the death of 27 year old Yuvraj Mehta, who worked in Gurugram and lived in Noida. On Friday night, while returning home amid dense fog, Mehta lost control of his vehicle near Sector 150. Poor visibility and a sharp right turn led his car into an unmarked roadside ditch nearly 20 feet deep and filled with water. The stretch reportedly had no barricades, warning signs, or lighting to alert motorists to the hazard.
Trapped inside the submerged vehicle, Mehta struggled for a prolonged period while awaiting help. Unable to swim, he reportedly remained in the water for close to 90 minutes and even managed to call his father in panic, informing him that his car had fallen into a drain. Despite the proximity of the incident to residential areas and major roads, rescue efforts were delayed.
The incident has raised serious concerns about emergency preparedness and the condition of urban infrastructure in rapidly developing regions close to the national capital. Questions have also been raised over the response of local authorities after it emerged that a food delivery executive attempted a rescue before official help could effectively intervene.
Rahul Gandhi, reacting to the incident, listed a series of failures ranging from unsafe roads and polluted environments to corruption and indifference, asserting that the common thread behind them was the absence of accountability. He argued that repeated urban disasters reflect systemic governance issues rather than isolated lapses.
The tragedy has prompted demands for action from Mehta’s family, who have called for accountability from concerned officials. In response, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered a special investigation into the incident, with a report to be submitted directly to him. Following the development, the Noida Authority chief executive has been removed from his post.
As investigations continue, the incident has intensified public debate on urban safety, infrastructure planning, and the need for faster, more effective emergency response mechanisms.
Sorry, there was a YouTube error.
