6-year-old boy dies after drowning in deep pit in Greater Noida, questions over safety measures

Abhiyaan, the six-year-old son of Sivan Yadav, vice-principal of Kendriya Vidyalaya, died on Saturday evening after drowning in a 15-feet deep pit dug for boring near Kaladham Society in Knowledge Park Kotwali area.

There were no barricades or warning signs

There were no barricades or warning signs around the pit. The victim’s family filed a petition at the police station accusing Greater Noida Authority officials of negligence and demanding action against the culprits. According to reports, Abhiyan was playing with other children near Kaladham Society late on Saturday evening when he encountered a pit filled with rainwater and fell into it.

This pit was dug many days ago.

Hearing the voices of other children, the bystanders reached there and after much effort, he was pulled out and taken to the hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead. On receiving information about the accident, the police reached the spot, conducted an investigation, filed a panchnama and sent the body for post-mortem.
The family is unconscious after the accident. Locals say that the pit was dug for the borewell many days ago. It was filled with water, but no safety measures were taken. People alleged that if those responsible had learned a lesson after Yuvraj Mehta’s death, the tragedy could have been avoided. This incident has spread anger among the people. He has demanded immediate barricading and security in all areas excavated during construction.
Inspector-in-charge Vinod Kumar said that the case is being registered after receiving a written complaint from the victim’s family. Action will be taken against the accused based on the facts found during the investigation.
There have been accidents before, but there has been no improvement in the system. Earlier, Yuvraj Mehta died in Sector 150. At the time, officials claimed to have closed the open pits and conducted safety checks across the city. Locals say that everything looks fine on paper, but the reality is that people are suffering loss of life and property. They are now demanding strict action and accountability.