Noida : The Uttar Pradesh government has appointed 2011-batch IAS officer Krishna Karunesh as the new Chief Executive Officer of Noida Authority. He takes charge after the transfer of former CEO Dr Lokesh M. Before this appointment, Krishna Karunesh was serving as Additional Chief Executive Officer at Noida Authority.
The change in leadership comes in the backdrop of the Yuvraj Mehta case, after which the then CEO was removed from the post. The appointment is being seen as a significant administrative shift at a time when Noida is facing serious questions over road safety, emergency response and accountability.
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Why this change is important
After the death of engineer Yuvraj Mehta, concerns were raised over delays in administrative decisions, lack of emergency preparedness and weak ground-level response. In this context, the change in leadership is being seen as a clear signal that the authority wants stronger field-level monitoring and faster corrective action. As the new CEO, IAS Krishna Karunesh faces the challenge of bringing visible improvements in road safety, grievance redressal and monitoring of development projects in Noida.
A CEO groomed within the Noida system
Originally from Bihar, IAS Krishna Karunesh has held key administrative positions across Uttar Pradesh. He has served as District Magistrate of Gorakhpur, Joint Magistrate in Kushinagar and as SDM and CDO in Ghaziabad. He has also handled district-level responsibilities in Hapur and Balrampur.
Notably, before taking charge as CEO, he was already working as ACEO at Noida Authority, giving him direct familiarity with the city’s administrative structure and ongoing issues.
Track record and administrative image
Krishna Karunesh is known as a strict and action-oriented officer. In 2022, while serving as DM of Gorakhpur, he suspended nine lekhpals in one action for negligence, sending a strong message on accountability.
Academically, he holds an MA degree along with an LLB. This legal and administrative background is expected to help in handling urban development, regulatory enforcement and project oversight in a complex city like Noida.
Yuvraj Mehta death case: City awaits SIT report
Sometimes a death is not just an accident but a question mark on the entire system. The death of engineer Yuvraj Mehta has become one such case. While a young life was lost, it left behind hundreds of unanswered questions and a 600-page investigation file.
The Special Investigation Team probing the incident in Sector 150, Noida, is expected to submit its primary report soon. The findings are being closely watched by the victim’s family, the administration and residents of the city.
Five days of intensive investigation
The SIT conducted an in-depth probe over five days, spending nearly eight hours daily at Noida Authority offices. Officials, including the Police Commissioner, DM, DCP, ACP, CFO and senior officers from Noida Authority were present during the investigation.
According to sources, over 600 pages of documents were submitted by Noida Authority, police and the disaster management department, covering every link related to the incident site.
Action likely against officials
After the SIT report is submitted, action against several officials is considered likely. Sources said the SIT team remained at the authority office from 1:30 pm to nearly 9 pm on one of the days. During this time, eyewitness Munender was questioned for nearly six and a half hours.
“My son fought for his life for two hours”
After a condolence meeting, Yuvraj Mehta’s father spoke to the media for the first time. With tears in his eyes, he questioned the system’s failure. He said his son was brave and continued to struggle for nearly two hours after falling into a waterlogged pit.
He said that timely rescue or proper safety arrangements could have saved his son’s life.
Praise for eyewitness Munender
Yuvraj’s father also praised eyewitness Munender for risking his own life to save his son. He said Munender jumped into the water without hesitation, but a lack of resources and system failure prevented a successful rescue.
Who is responsible?
So far, statements of 125 people have been recorded. The key question remains, who is responsible for Yuvraj Mehta’s death? The pit, the builder or administrative negligence? The 600-page SIT report is expected to determine whether this was merely an accident or a death caused by systemic failure.