Dense fog turned deadly on Noida roads Wednesday morning when a software engineer’s car crashed into a pothole, ending his life in a preventable tragedy. Authorities face renewed scrutiny over persistent road maintenance failures.
The 32-year-old victim, Rahul Sharma, encountered the hazard on the Sector 62-Greater Noida Expressway link road. Traveling at reduced speed due to zero visibility, his vehicle plunged into a 6-foot-deep pothole filled with stagnant water.
Bystanders attempted rescue using car jacks and wooden planks, but Sharma remained pinned under the dashboard. Fire tenders arrived 25 minutes later, pronouncing him dead from severe head and chest trauma.
Sharma leaves behind his wife Priyanka, a homemaker, and children aged 5 and 3. ‘He kissed them goodbye every morning saying he’d return with their favorite chocolates,’ shared neighbor Sunita Devi, tears in her eyes.
Engineering reports confirm the pothole formed after recent pipeline repairs left the road excavated but unrepaired. Similar complaints dot Google Maps reviews and social media, with citizens posting dramatic videos of near-misses.
Noida Authority officials inspected the site promising Rs 5 crore for emergency repairs across 50 critical locations. ‘Smart City initiatives include AI pothole detection drones by March,’ claimed Project Director Vikram Singh.
Traffic police have deployed fog lights, reflectors, and volunteer marshals at black spots. IMD forecasts moderate fog till Sunday, advising against unnecessary travel. Ride-sharing apps report 35% drop in early morning rides.
Corporate India mourns the loss of another talented professional to infrastructure woes. Tech associations call for ‘Pothole Insurance Funds’ contributed by IT firms operating in Noida. Rahul Sharma’s digital footprint reveals a life dedicated to coding solutions—ironically unable to navigate real-world road hazards.