Youth drowns in Bada Talab; fourth incident in 6 months

 

 

A 25-year-old youth drowned in the Bada Talab (Upper Lake) in Bhopal’s Bhadbhada area on Tuesday evening. The tragic incident occurred when the young man, who had gone fishing with his friends, ventured into deep waters while bathing. This event once again highlights the alleged negligence of the Municipal Corporation and administration, leading to a continuous rise in drowning incidents in the lake. The deceased has been identified as Shivam Mahajan, a resident of Rahul Nagar, who was employed with a private company. According to the police, Shivam had gone to Bhadbhada Talab with three friends. While two friends sat on the bank fishing, Shivam and another friend decided to take a bath. Shivam jumped into the lake from a stone but went into deep water and could not surface. His friend raised an alarm, alerting locals, after which Kamala Nagar police and Municipal Corporation divers arrived at the scene.

 

After approximately two hours of effort, Shivam’s body was recovered from the lake and taken to Jaiprakash Hospital, where he was declared dead. The body has been sent to Hamidia Hospital for post-mortem examination. Police have registered a case and initiated an investigation. Preliminary inquiry revealed that Shivam did not know how to swim. His friends stated that they had chosen a shallow spot, but Shivam suddenly went into deep water after jumping. ‘The Hitavada’ had previously raised concerns about such incidents, highlighting the negligence of the administration and the Municipal Corporation.

 

The newspaper had warned that due to the lack of safety arrangements and administrative apathy at Bhadbhada Talab, such incidents were increasing day by day. In the last six months, at least four people, mostly young individuals, have drowned in Bhadbhada Talab. Despite this, neither safety warning boards have been installed along the lake’s banks nor have permanent divers been deployed. Local residents allege that the administration is “turning a deaf ear,” and encroachment combined with the poor condition of the lake is further escalating the danger. A local resident said, “Such incidents happen every year, but the corporation and administration do not take any concrete steps. There are no railings or warning boards along the lake’s edge. Divers are also called only after an incident occurs.”