Noida techie’s death: Developer flagged sewer collapse in 2022; Yuvraj Mehta drowned in same water-filled trench 4 years later | Noida News

NOIDA: Four years before the accident at the water-filled trench in Sector 150, the developer of the plot had formally warned Noida Authority about hazardous conditions caused by collapsed sewer lines.In a letter dated March 14, 2022, MZ Wiztown Planners Pvt Ltd wrote to the Noida Authority chief executive officer, flagging that sewage and stormwater had flooded the double basement of its stalled under-construction project on plot SC/02 A-3, the same spot where 27-year-old software engineer Yuvraj Mehta drowned on the night of Jan 16-17 after his car plunged into the waterlogged trench.

Following the accident, police registered an FIR against Wiztown Planners and Lotus Greens Construction Pvt Ltd under BNS sections 105 (culpable homicide), 106 (causing death by negligence) and 125 (act endangering life) on Jan 18.The plot, which was sub-leased to Wiztown in 2016 with the Noida Authority’s approval, was described in the letter as having turned into a receptacle for the sector’s entire sewage and drainage flow. The developer warned that contaminated water had filled the basement, creating a grave safety risk. The letter stated the situation could lead to a “serious mishap and any accident” unless immediate steps were taken to restore sewer lines and pump out the accumulated water.The letter also noted that despite barricading efforts, the road adjoining the plot was sinking due to soil erosion and water pressure, causing barricades to collapse repeatedly. The builder shared photographs of the flooded basement and sought urgent corrective action to prevent loss of life or property.Copies of the letter were marked to senior officials in the Authority’s planning and works departments, as well as the Noida police commissioner and the station house officer of Knowledge Park-I police station.Despite these warnings, sources allege that no permanent remedial measures were undertaken.This was not the first time that concerns over drainage in Sector 150 were being flagged. TOI earlier reported that in 2015, the irrigation department had written to the Noida Authority over the accumulation of rainwater and sewage in the area. A joint inspection by the irrigation department and the Authority was conducted in Oct 2023, but the project was not subsequently taken up.Residents, too, claim they repeatedly raised alarms. Letters were sent to Noida Authority, as well as to the local MLA and MP, highlighting poor roads, inadequate lighting and persistent drainage issues. Both elected representatives are said to have taken up the matter with the Authority, but residents allege no meaningful action followed.Meanwhile, the chief judicial magistrate court extended the hearing in the case against Wiztown by six days, with the next date fixed for Jan 27. Advocate Swastik Verma, appearing for Wiztown, said the company’s director Abhay Kumar was produced before the court on Jan 20, when a bail application was moved. “After hearing detailed arguments and the investigating officer, the court directed further investigation on points raised during the hearing and remanded Kumar to one day of judicial custody,” he said.On Wednesday, the court again took up the matter, noting submissions that authorities were aware of drain water seepage at the site. In light of claims that Wiztown had flagged the issues as recently as 2022, the court directed the investigating officer to probe responsibility for the non-maintenance of the drain and identify the agency responsible. The case will be heard next on Jan 27.Meanwhile, police have sent for forensic analysis a video where Yuvraj is allegedly seen at a bar with four persons the evening of the accident. A senior official confirmed that the video was from a bar in Gurgaon. “We have sent the video for forensics to ascertain the facts,” the officer said.