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The tragic drowning of two bank employees in a flooded underpass in Faridabad has sparked a magisterial inquiry into the incident. The victims, Punyashray Sharma, a bank manager, and Viraj Dwivedi, a cashier, perished on Friday night when their car became trapped in the waterlogged Old Railway underpass. The underpass, which was experiencing significant flooding due to heavy rains, reportedly had water depths reaching up to 12 feet. The incident highlights the dangers of driving through flooded areas and raises questions about the adequacy of warning systems and infrastructure in place to prevent such tragedies.
Despite a barricade with a rope placed at the entrance of the underpass, the car carrying the victims entered the flooded area. Police claim that officers stationed at the site had attempted to signal the driver to avoid entering the underpass, but their warnings were disregarded. The inquiry, led by Additional Deputy Commissioner Dr Anand Sharma, will investigate the events surrounding the drowning and examine the effectiveness of the existing safety measures. It will also delve into the actions taken by the police and the Municipal Corporation of Faridabad (MCF) in response to the flooding.
The MCF, in an attempt to mitigate future flooding events, has implemented measures such as increasing the capacity of motor pumps and the genset responsible for dewatering the area. However, the city has experienced significant rainfall this month, exceeding the average by 87%. The MCF has also initiated a tender for a new dewatering system and the construction of a drain to direct water outflow. The investigation will aim to determine if these measures are sufficient to prevent future occurrences of flooding and whether additional safety protocols are necessary for pedestrians and drivers traversing underpasses during periods of heavy rainfall.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety of underpasses, particularly during inclement weather conditions. The inquiry will examine the adequacy of existing safety measures and recommend any necessary changes to ensure the safety of drivers and pedestrians. This tragedy underscores the need for robust infrastructure and preventative measures to address flooding and mitigate the risks associated with such events, especially in areas prone to heavy rainfall.
Source: Two bank employees drown in waterlogged Faridabad underpass: Magisterial inquiry ordered