Noida, Uttar Pradesh
The Noida Authority has initiated a detailed investigation into the tragic incident in Sector-150, where an engineer lost his life after drowning in the basement of an under-construction mall. Alongside the probe, immediate disciplinary action has been taken against officials found responsible for administrative and safety lapses.
Addressing the matter, Noida Authority Additional Chief Executive Officer Satish Pal said that a comprehensive inquiry is underway and further action will be taken only after the investigation is completed. He explained that the probe will establish ownership of the land, details of its allotment, and the agency or authority responsible for its maintenance. He added that the road where the incident occurred falls in a sector that is still under development, and accountability will be fixed once all facts are verified.
Disciplinary Action in Engineer’s Death Case
In a separate but decisive move, Noida Authority Chief Executive Officer Lokesh M ordered disciplinary action in connection with the engineer’s death. Taking serious note of the incident and the alleged lapses, the Authority has initiated punitive proceedings against officials responsible for traffic management and safety arrangements in and around Sector-150.
Show-cause notices have been issued to concerned officials and employees, seeking explanations for negligence, lack of supervision, and failure to ensure adequate safety measures near the construction site. In addition, the services of Junior Engineer Naveen Kumar of the Noida Traffic Cell Department have been terminated with immediate effect on grounds of serious dereliction of duty.
Reports Sought on Builder and Construction Compliance
The Chief Executive Officer has also directed concerned departments to submit detailed reports on the allotment of land to Lotus Builder and the current status of construction work at the site. These reports will cover permissions granted, compliance with sanctioned building plans, safety provisions, and adherence to norms prescribed by the Authority.
Officials have been instructed to submit the reports at the earliest so that responsibility can be clearly fixed and further action initiated against individuals or agencies found guilty of negligence or violations. The Authority has reiterated that builders and developers will be held accountable for ensuring safety at construction sites, particularly in developing sectors.
Safety Norms Non-Negotiable, Says CEO
Emphasising that safety standards cannot be compromised, CEO Lokesh M stated that any disregard for construction safety norms will not be tolerated. He has directed all departments of the Noida Authority to conduct fresh inspections of construction projects across their jurisdictions.
The inspections will focus on identifying hazards, ensuring proper drainage and water management, verifying barricading and warning signage, and checking compliance with safety protocols. Departments have been instructed to submit compliance reports after inspections and take immediate corrective measures wherever deficiencies are identified.
The Noida Authority has assured that the investigation into the Sector-150 incident will be conducted in a transparent and time-bound manner. Based on the findings of the inquiry and departmental reports, further disciplinary and legal action will be taken as required. The Authority has reiterated that ensuring safety at construction sites remains a top priority and that accountability will be enforced at all levels to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
