FIR Filed Against Developer After Drain Collapse in Ghaziabad’s Siddharth Vihar Causes Flooding
In a significant development, the Uttar Pradesh Avas Vikas Parishad (UP Housing and Development Board) has lodged an FIR against the developer of Prateek Grand, a luxury residential complex in Siddharth Vihar, Ghaziabad. The legal action follows a breach in a municipal drain, allegedly triggered by negligent construction practices at the site, which resulted in severe flooding of the occupied basements of the complex on May 2, 2025.
The flooding incident has drawn attention to the ageing infrastructure in the area and raised concerns about the potential risks posed by rapid urban expansion without adequate support from municipal systems.
The Incident
Municipal officials reported that around 30 million litres per day (MLD) of wastewater from an old brick-lined drain managed by the Ghaziabad municipal corporation surged into the basements of the Prateek Grand complex after the drain breached. The breach occurred close to an under-construction section of the high-rise, where excavation work had been carried out by the developer. The drain, although situated within the Siddharth Vihar township, primarily serves other localities such as Vijay Nagar and Pratap Vihar, increasing the load it carries.
AK Mittal, superintending engineer of the UP Avas Vikas Parishad, commented that the developer's excavation work was carried out only six meters from the drain, potentially without adequate safety measures such as a retaining wall to protect the aging drain. Mittal emphasized that the regulatory body would investigate whether these precautions were needed and whether any penalties or actions could be taken, including withholding the project's completion certificate.
The FIR was registered at Vijay Nagar police station, under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including negligent conduct, mischief causing loss or damage, and acts endangering life or personal safety.
Role of Municipal Authorities
While housing board officials acknowledged the aged condition of the drain, they pointed to limited budgets that hampered efforts to upgrade the infrastructure. NK Chaudhary, the chief engineer of the Ghaziabad municipal body, confirmed that the drain had been in a deteriorating state for years, but there had not been sufficient funds to cement the channel properly. He explained that the drain, built with brick layers, was not designed to handle the heavy load of wastewater from expanding residential areas.
The breach led to water inundating multiple basements in the Prateek Grand complex, which houses over 3,000 families across 24 high-rise towers. For residents, the situation was difficult, as the flooding disrupted essential services. The most immediate concern was the impact on drinking water supplies, which have yet to be fully restored. Shashi Kukreti, a resident of the complex, expressed frustration with the lack of timely action. Despite some progress, including restoring one lift per tower, Kukreti warned that with the monsoon approaching, residents feared more breaches due to inadequate infrastructure.
Developer’s Response
In response to the incident, Prateek Group, the developer behind the Prateek Grand project, denied that the excavation work was solely responsible for the breach. The developer suggested that the breach was due to a third-party’s negligent actions, which diverted water from its intended route without permission from local authorities. A company spokesperson stated that the diversion of water increased pressure on the drainage system, which was already fragile and scheduled for repairs by the local authorities. The spokesperson also cited the heavy rainfall as a contributing factor, saying that the increasing water pressure ultimately led to the collapse of the drain wall.
To address the damage, the developer deployed a team of 60-70 professionals to carry out repairs and restore the affected areas. The company reassured residents, saying that it was committed to rectifying the situation, and urged stakeholders not directly involved to refrain from politicizing the issue.
In light of the breach, the UP Avas Vikas Parishad announced plans to construct a new, cemented drain to handle wastewater more effectively in the Siddharth Vihar area. Mittal confirmed that the design for the new drain had already been finalized, with work expected to commence soon. However, he cautioned that the project would take approximately one and a half years to complete. Until then, vigilance from both developers and municipal agencies will be essential to prevent further incidents.
The flooding has highlighted the ongoing challenges of balancing rapid urban development with the infrastructure needed to support growing populations. As more high-rise projects are planned for the area, local residents and officials agree that there must be greater coordination between developers, housing boards, and municipal authorities to ensure that infrastructure is adequately upgraded and maintained to meet the demands of new developments.
