Noida Techie’s Tragic Death Sparks Major Government Action: Noida Authority CEO Removed, SIT Constituted by UP CM Yogi Adityanath
A Fatal Accident That Shook Noida
Late on Saturday night, a devastating accident claimed the life of 27‑year‑old software engineer Yuvraj Mehta, a resident of Tata Eureka Park Society in Noida. While returning home, his SUV veered off course in dense winter fog and plunged into a deep water‑filled pit at an under‑construction site in Sector‑150, Greater Noida. The pit, reportedly more than 20 feet deep, was left inadequately secured, lacking essential safety measures such as barricades, fencing, reflectors, and warning lights. These glaring lapses turned the site into a death trap, particularly under low‑visibility conditions.
Hours of Struggle Before Drowning
In a harrowing account, Yuvraj’s father, Raj Kumar Mehta, revealed that his son remained alive for nearly two hours after the accident. Speaking to the media, he said Yuvraj repeatedly cried out, “Papa bachao, papa bachao,” while desperately trying to signal his location using his mobile phone’s flashlight. Despite the presence of bystanders and officials, no effective rescue attempt was made during those crucial hours. Witnesses reported that instead of intervening, many people stood watching or recording videos. His phone went silent around 2:30 AM, nearly two hours after the accident, marking the end of his struggle.
Rescue Efforts That Came Too Late
Eyewitnesses, including delivery worker Munendra, stated that Yuvraj’s pleas for help were audible for nearly 80 minutes. He warned that his car was sinking, but no one entered the freezing water, citing iron rods and dangerous conditions. Munendra himself tied a rope around his waist in a desperate attempt to rescue Yuvraj but failed due to darkness and heavy fog. By 1:45 AM, the SUV had submerged completely. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) arrived at 1:55 AM, but by then it was too late. Yuvraj’s body was recovered around 4:30 AM.
Government Crackdown: CEO Removed, Officials Suspended
The Uttar Pradesh government responded swiftly to mounting public outrage. Lokesh M, Chief Executive Officer of the Noida Authority and a 2005‑batch IAS officer, was removed from his post and placed on a waitlist. The government also suspended Naveen Kumar, Junior Engineer and in‑charge of the Noida traffic cell, while issuing show‑cause notices to other officials linked to the site. These disciplinary actions underscore the administration’s intent to enforce accountability for negligence in urban infrastructure management.
SIT Constituted to Investigate
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered the formation of a three‑member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the incident thoroughly.
Chairperson: Additional Director General (ADG), Meerut Zone
Members: Divisional Commissioner, Meerut; Chief Engineer, Public Works Department (PWD)
The SIT has been tasked with examining the circumstances of the accident, identifying responsibility for safety lapses, and assessing compliance with construction and road safety norms. The team has been directed to submit its findings to the Chief Minister within five days.
Public Anger and Governance Questions
The tragedy has reignited debate over urban infrastructure safety, construction oversight, and emergency response mechanisms in rapidly expanding cities like Noida and Greater Noida. While official claims suggested prompt rescue efforts, the family’s account highlighted severe failures in emergency response, crowd management, and coordination between authorities. Citizens have expressed outrage, demanding stricter accountability and systemic reforms to prevent similar disasters.
Family Background
Yuvraj Mehta was the only son of Raj Kumar Mehta, a retired director of the State Bank of India. His mother had passed away a few years earlier, and his elder sister resides in the United Kingdom. Yuvraj worked as a software engineer with Dunnhumby India in Gurugram. His untimely death has left the family shattered.
Protests and Authority’s Response
Following the incident, local residents staged protests, accusing the Noida Authority of negligence and pointing out repeated accidents at the same intersection. Despite earlier requests for barricades and reflectors, no preventive measures had been taken. In a controversial move, the authority later dumped large amounts of debris near the accident site, which residents criticized as a cosmetic response rather than a genuine safety measure.
A Case That Could Set a Precedent
The death of Yuvraj Mehta is no longer seen as an isolated accident. It has become a test case for governance, administrative accountability, and public safety in Uttar Pradesh. With the removal of the Noida Authority CEO and the SIT probe underway, the outcome of this investigation is expected to set a precedent for how urban safety lapses are addressed in the future.
