In a tragic incident that underscores persistent civic neglect, an 11-year-old boy lost his life after falling into an open drain in Ghaziabad's Masuri area. This heartbreaking event occurred just days after the death of software engineer Yuvraj Mehta in Noida, bringing renewed attention to the dangers posed by unsafe public spaces in the region.
Details of the Incident
The accident took place on Wednesday afternoon in the Jhundpura colony of Masuri. The boy, identified as Aahil, was playing with friends approximately 50 meters from his home when he slipped into a two-foot-deep drain around 3 pm. Shockingly, no one noticed his absence for several minutes, delaying any immediate rescue efforts.
Rescue and Hospitalization
Passersby eventually pulled Aahil out of the drain, and his family rushed him to a private hospital in Pilkhuwa, Hapur. Despite medical intervention, the young boy succumbed to his injuries on Thursday, leaving the community in mourning.
Family's Anguish and Allegations
Aahil's father, Zahid, who works as a plumber, revealed that his son frequently experienced anxiety seizures. He described how Aahil spent Wednesday morning playing outside with local children, as was his routine. Zahid recounted, "Children playing nearby saw Aahil in the drain several minutes after he slipped. They alerted local residents who then pulled Aahil out and called me." He speculated that Aahil may have suffered a panic-induced seizure after falling into the drain.
Zahid squarely blamed civic authorities for the tragedy, accusing them of negligence for not covering the drain. This open drain, measuring two feet wide and deep, has been a known hazard in the area, posing significant risks to children and the elderly alike.
Pattern of Negligence
Disturbingly, this is the second such death in Masuri this month. On January 8, a 5-year-old boy died after falling into a drain in the Momin colony. Local resident Md Salman emphasized the urgent need for action, stating that the administration must build a wall or cover the drain to ensure resident safety. He added that the community plans to approach officials soon with their demands.
Official Response and Investigation
ACP Masuri Lipi Nagayach confirmed that Aahil's body was sent for autopsy, with reports still awaited. Notably, no FIR has been filed in the case as the family has yet to submit a formal police complaint.
Broader Context of Civic Failures
This incident is part of a larger pattern of civic neglect in the area. A January 23 report by The Times of India highlighted how several arterial and internal roads in the city have remained dug up for months, with open drains, loose debris, and inadequate barricading creating hazardous conditions that make accidents almost inevitable.
Administrative Actions
In response to growing public outrage, the district administration directed all departments on Thursday to identify accident-prone structures and locations. This includes under-construction malls, high-rise buildings, incomplete or damaged bridges, open pits, exposed sewers and drains, water bodies, and damaged road dividers where corrective measures are long overdue.
This directive came days after Yuvraj Mehta's death in a water-filled, unfenced trench in Noida's Sector 150, which triggered widespread scrutiny of safety lapses and alleged illegal construction practices in the region.
Community and Safety Concerns
The repeated tragedies have ignited concerns among residents about the lack of basic safety measures in public spaces. The failure to address these issues not only endangers lives but also reflects systemic neglect in urban planning and maintenance. As the community grapples with these losses, there is a pressing call for accountability and immediate corrective actions to prevent further incidents.
Ultimately, the death of young Aahil serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive safety audits and proactive measures to secure public infrastructure, ensuring that such preventable tragedies do not recur.
