A young boy lost his life in a tragic accident after falling into an exposed cable trench where an iron rod pierced his abdomen, triggering serious questions over negligence in public works execution.
The incident occurred under the Gorakhpur Development Authority’s Rapti Nagar Extension Scheme in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, on Wednesday evening.
Bicycle ride ends in tragedy
The deceased has been identified as Kanhaiya, the eldest son of vegetable vendor Shyam Sundar Chaurasia from Mudila in the Chiluatal police station limits. Fond of cycling, the child had received a new bicycle from his father just four days ago.
According to local accounts, Kanhaiya was riding his bicycle when it reportedly collided with a motorcycle. The impact threw him into a nearby trench dug for laying underground cables. A protruding iron rod pierced his abdomen. He later succumbed to his injuries during treatment.
Prima facie negligence found
The trenches had been constructed on both sides of a 24-metre-wide road as part of the Rapti Nagar Extension Plan. Work reportedly began in April 2023 and concluded in June 2025, with officials claiming the trench had been covered with reinforced cement concrete slabs.
However, authorities stated that some slabs had been removed, allegedly by miscreants, leaving parts of the trench exposed.
Following the tragedy, GDA Vice President Anand Vardhan terminated Technical Supervisor Aditya Srivastava, who was overseeing the site. The authority has also written to the Public Works Department seeking suspension of Junior Engineer Sanjay Gupta, who was attached to the GDA for the project.
An inquiry committee led by the ADM City and the PWD Chief Engineer has been constituted. A separate internal panel under OSD Prakhar Uttam will also examine accountability.
Officials have assured strict action after the completion of the probe.