The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has acted on its own accord after a news report highlighted the unfortunate demise of 27-year-old software engineer Yuvraj Mehta. Mehta lost his life when his car plunged into a water-filled ditch in Noida’s Sector-150. The NGT Bench, led by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Expert Member Dr A. Senthil Vel, has called for responses from various authorities, including the Noida Authority and the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board.
The green tribunal has instructed the concerned authorities to submit their responses through affidavits at least one week before the upcoming hearing. The case is scheduled for further review on April 10. According to reports, the victim met with the accident while navigating a sharp turn in foggy weather and landed in a water-filled trench. The land where the incident occurred, initially designated for a private mall project, had transformed into a pond over time due to rainwater accumulation and wastewater discharge from nearby residential areas.
Despite a stormwater management plan drafted by the Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Department in 2015, no practical steps were taken on the ground. The proposal to construct a head regulator to divert excess water into the Hindon River remained unimplemented, resulting in severe waterlogging. The absence of a controlled outlet led to basement flooding in nearby residential complexes and water stagnation. The NGT has highlighted significant concerns about environmental norm adherence and the enforcement of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, based on the news report.
In the meantime, investigations into the incident have intensified with a Special Investigation Team (SIT) launching an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Yuvraj Mehta’s death. The SIT, formed on Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s orders, is expected to present its findings to the state government within five days. Following allegations of negligence, the Chief Minister has relieved Noida Authority CEO Lokesh M. of his duties and dismissed a junior engineer. Additionally, a builder-cum-developer has been arrested by the police on charges of criminal negligence in connection with the incident.
