'Missing barricades, delayed rescue, safety lapses': Noida Authority grilled by SIT over techie’s death in Sector 150 pit

NOIDA: Officials of Noida Authority spent Thursday drafting replies to a detailed questionnaire from a three-member special investigation team (SIT) probing the death of 27-year-old software engineer Yuvraj Mehta, who drowned after his car plunged into a waterlogged pit in Sector 150 early on Jan 17.Formed on Monday and given five days to submit its report, the SIT asked the Authority what it did after a truck had fallen into the trench at the same spot just days earlier, and why the location was still without barricades, reflectors or warning signage when Mehta's car went in, sources said. At a meeting on Thursday, the SIT sought a step-by-step account of the Authority's response on the night of Mehta's death - when it first received information, what immediate action followed, and how field staff, control rooms and emergency response teams coordinated. Investigators are examining why rescue operations could not be initiated for nearly two hours after the car fell into the pit and Mehta kept shouting for help, waving his phone's torch. The questionnaire also focuses on road safety and waterlogging in the area, including the role of Noida traffic cell. The SIT is looking into whether the site had been identified earlier as prone to waterlogging and, if so, why preventive measures were not put in place.A large part of the probe centres around the Sports City project, which is set to be built on the plot that is currently waterlogged. Sources said the SIT asked for possession details of the 21 subdivided plots, along with information on their respective developers. It also sought clarifications on map approvals, issuance of occupancy certificates (OC) and completion certificates (CC), and the status of basic utilities such as roads, road safety infrastructure, water supply and sewerage.Officials said the team is examining whether facilities were developed in keeping with plans and whether compliance was monitored at different stages. Queries also included whether notices were issued to builders for non-compliance with development or safety norms.After the drowning, the Authority has begun corrective steps. Officials said cement block barricades would be installed on both sides of the road in Sector 150 through a tender process, with work expected to begin shortly. Directions have also been issued to drain water from potholes and waterlogged plots across sector and other parts of Noida.