The construction site where 23-year-old Harshit Bhatt, a student from Amity University, tragically drowned on Wednesday is located near the Supertech Supernova project in Sector 94 of Noida. This site is in close proximity to the Okhla Bird Sanctuary Metro station along the magenta line.

The pit, resembling a small lake, is situated less than 300 meters from Gate No. 2 of the prominent Supernova high-rise, which is accessible from the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway, close to the Mahamaya flyover. Additionally, it is just over 100 meters away from the local post-mortem facility. Harshit and his classmates attended university approximately 2 kilometers from this site.

Surrounded by tall, dry grasses and mounds of soil, the waterlogged pit is partially enclosed by blue-painted tin sheets. However, there are several openings that allow individuals to approach the water’s edge. A security guard is tasked with monitoring the area continuously.

A foundation stone at the location marks it as the future site of the Noida Convention and Habitat Centre, which is planned to be built on a 20-acre plot within the Noida Industrial Development Authority zone. This project, with an estimated budget of ₹685 crore, was inaugurated on March 2, 2020, by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, alongside local MPs Mahesh Sharma and Surendra Singh Nagar, as well as MLA Pankaj Singh.

According to a senior official from the Noida Authority, the Convention Centre project was awarded to a state-run entity, but construction has been halted since 2021. “The project was given to the Uttar Pradesh Rajkiya Nirman Nigam, but they failed to progress beyond initial excavation. As a result, the UPRNN was blacklisted in 2021,” the official stated.

The official further emphasized that the area is fenced off and unauthorized access is prohibited. “The students had no business being there,” the official remarked.