Open drain, broken barriers: Hazards on Delhi stretch where 20-yr-old, US student died
A 20-year-old student died after his car plunged into an uncovered drain in South Delhi. Local residents and the victim's family have criticized the Delhi Development Authority for negligence and failing to secure the hazardous stretch despite repeated complaints.
Why it matters
The incident highlights critical urban infrastructure failures and the lack of accountability in civic maintenance, which directly impacts public safety.
NEW DELHI: A day after a 20-year-old student died when his car skidded, hit a tree, overturned and plunged into the open Nangal Dewat drain in south Delhi's Vasant Kunj, TOI found that the drain, stretching over a kilometre, remained largely uncovered, with several other infrastructural hazards also posing risks.While a few sections were covered with green netting, most of the drain had neither protective covers nor barricades.The netting was pulled down at multiple points, leaving large portions of the drain exposed.A low cement barrier, barely a foot high, ran along parts of the drain, but was broken in several places.The friend who was travelling with Yashvendra Singh told police that the car lost control on the rain-soaked, slushy road.The stretch was riddled with potholes filled with rainwater and mud.The road shoulder lacked adequate gravel, causing mud to accumulate and making the surface slippery.Locals blamed the tragedy on the civic…
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