NGT TAKES SUO MOTU COGNISANCE OF NOIDA TECHIE’S DROWNING, FLAGS ADMINISTRATIVE LAPSES:

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken suo motu cognisance of the death of a software engineer who drowned after falling into a waterlogged trench in Noida, holding that the incident prima facie resulted from serious lapses on the part of public authorities. The Tribunal observed that the circumstances surrounding the death point to violations of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and reflect a failure to implement necessary environmental safeguards.

The matter was considered by a Bench headed by Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Chairperson of the NGT, along with Dr. A. Senthil Vel, Expert Member. The Bench registered an original application on the basis of a newspaper report titled “Noida CEO Removed, CM Orders SIT Probe into Techie’s Drowning,” which appeared in The Times of India on January 20, 2026.

According to the report, the deceased, identified as Yuvraj Mehta, was a software engineer who drowned after accidentally falling into a water-filled trench at a commercial site located in Sector 150, Noida. The incident reportedly occurred when Mehta took a sharp right-angle turn and, due to poor visibility caused by fog, lost his way and fell into the trench. The area in question was originally allotted for the construction of a private mall but had gradually turned into a large water body over the years. Rainwater and wastewater from nearby residential complexes had been allowed to accumulate at the site for nearly a decade, effectively converting it into a pond.

The Tribunal noted that the news report highlighted persistent administrative inaction despite the existence of a storm water management plan prepared by the Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Department in 2015. The plan, which involved measures to address waterlogging in the area, was never implemented even after multiple surveys and inspections. Documents placed on record indicated that the Irrigation Department had proposed the construction of a head regulator to divert excess rainwater into the Hindon river. For this purpose, the Noida Authority had released an amount of Rs. 13.05 lakh in 2016 towards survey and design preparation. However, no substantial progress was made thereafter.

As a consequence of the failure to execute the proposed remedial measures, the area continued to suffer from severe waterlogging. The Tribunal recorded that basements of several adjoining housing societies had been repeatedly flooded, as the accumulated rainwater could not be discharged into the river in the absence of a regulated outlet. The stagnation of water without proper drainage also heightened the risk of backflow, creating hazardous conditions in the vicinity.

On the basis of these facts, the NGT observed that the material on record indicated clear lapses on the part of the Noida Authority and other concerned agencies, which ultimately led to the fatal incident. The Bench held that the case raised substantial questions relating to environmental protection and compliance with statutory obligations under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and allied laws. The Tribunal also referred to the Supreme Court’s decision in Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai v. Ankita Sinha, which affirmed the NGT’s authority to initiate proceedings suo motu in appropriate cases involving environmental harm.

In the proceedings, the NGT impleaded multiple authorities as respondents, including the Noida Authority, the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board, the Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Department, the Principal Secretary (Environment) to the Government of Uttar Pradesh, and the District Magistrate of Gautam Budh Nagar. Notices have been issued to all respondents, directing them to file their responses by way of affidavits at least one week prior to the next date of hearing. The Tribunal further specified that if any reply is filed directly by an official without routing it through legal counsel, the concerned officer must remain virtually present to assist the Bench. The matter has been listed for further consideration on April 10, 2026.