New Delhi/Greater Noida: Two heart-wrenching tragedies have brought the spotlight back on civic negligence in India’s urban areas, as two young boys—just four and six years old—lost their lives in separate drowning incidents in Delhi and Greater Noida. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has now taken suo motu cognisance of both incidents and demanded urgent answers from the respective authorities.
The Delhi Incident: A Child Lost to an Open Drain
On July 7, a four-year-old boy fell into an open drain in Mahendra Park, located in Delhi’s northwest district. Despite the high density of residential population and the known risk of exposed civic infrastructure, the drain had reportedly been left without a cover. Locals rushed to help, but were too late—by the time the child was pulled out, he had drowned.
This incident is not the first of its kind in the capital. The presence of open drains, especially during the monsoon season, becomes a death trap for children who often play in narrow lanes or accompany parents on foot.
Greater Noida Shock: A Six-Year-Old Dies in Neglected Park Fountain
Just hours after the Delhi tragedy, another similar incident occurred in Greater Noida. In Sector P3, a six-year-old boy drowned in a waterlogged fountain or artificial pond located inside a public park. What makes this case even more disturbing is that residents had repeatedly complained to the Greater Noida Development Authority (GNIDA) about the unsafe and poorly maintained structure.
But as alleged by the community, those complaints were ignored. There were no warning signs, no fencing, and no timely dewatering of the stagnant water. For a child, what appeared to be a playful water feature turned out to be a fatal hazard.
NHRC Steps In: Accountability Demanded
Terming these cases as “gross negligence amounting to human rights violations,” the NHRC has stepped in and issued formal notices to authorities in both regions.
In Delhi, the Commission has sent notices to:
The Chief Secretary
The Commissioner of Police
The Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD)
In Greater Noida, similar notices have been issued to:
The Chairman of GNDA
The Commissioner of Police, Gautam Buddh Nagar
All concerned departments have been directed to submit detailed reports within two weeks. These reports are expected to cover:
Circumstances leading to the deaths
Complaints or warnings ignored
Maintenance protocols in place (if any)
Corrective steps are being initiated post-incident
A Larger Pattern of Neglect
Both tragedies reflect a larger and persistent issue—urban infrastructure in India often fails to take basic child safety into account. Whether it’s open drains, unsecured construction sites, or unfenced water bodies, the risk to children is ever-present.
Despite rapid urban development, civic bodies frequently fall short on routine maintenance, preventive action, and timely response to resident concerns. These two cases are not isolated, but symbolic of systemic lapses that continue to cost young lives.
Voices from the Ground
Former RWAs and local activists have expressed deep frustration.
It was not an accident, it was murder by apathy. We warned them by writing letters also called them, no action ever !
Resident, Greater Noida
Similarly, Mahendra Park residents in Delhi have urged authorities to immediately cover all open drains and install protective railings in high-footfall areas.
What Happens Next?
If the NHRC finds merit in the allegations, it may recommend:
Disciplinary action against negligent officials
Financial compensation to families
Mandatory safety audits in all parks and public utility areas
The Commission’s intervention brings hope to grieving families and anxious communities. But whether this will lead to long-term change—or be just another headline—is a question only time and political will can answer.