Mercedes Owner Seeks ₹5 Lakh from Ghaziabad Authority Over Flood Damage
Mercedes Owner Demands ₹5 Lakh After Flooded Road Breaks His Car
In a bizarre and eye-opening incident, Amit Kishore, a Mercedes-Benz GLA 200D owner from Ghaziabad, has sent a legal notice to the Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation demanding ₹5 lakh in damages. The demand comes after his luxury SUV got stranded in knee-deep floodwater for over two hours on July 23 in the Sahibabad area, following heavy rains.
Kishore, a resident of Vasundhara Sector 11, blames the poor drainage and failed civic infrastructure for the breakdown of his ₹60-lakh vehicle. The car, reportedly purchased in 2018, stalled near Shyam Park Extension while he was en route to Lajpat Nagar.
Civic Negligence or Force Majeure?
According to Kishore, the entire road stretch was completely submerged. The vehicle’s engine and electrical systems—highly sensitive in premium cars—were left exposed to water damage.
He had no choice but to arrange a tow truck to transport the car to a Noida service centre. Initial repair estimates are in lakhs, and the emotional toll adds to his grievance.
Kishore said, “The drainage system had completely failed. I was stuck for hours. This is unacceptable.” His legal notice squarely blames municipal authorities for inadequate flood management and demands compensation not just for the repair, but also for the mental distress he endured.
Residents of Brij Vihar, Chander Nagar, Sahibabad etc have regularly complained about the drainage issues with multiple authority for a long period of time. The open main drain which crosses though Brij Vihar to Sahibabad is chocked with plastic waste and it is hardly been cleaned. The toxic fumes that come out of the drain again issues health hazard for the residents.
The road linking from Madan Mohan Malviya road (Country Inn red light) to Brij Vihar railway pool has huge pot holes, drain overflowing, banquet hall and trucks parked on the sides of the road makes it more venerable
Internet Backs the Mercedes Owner
As news of the legal notice spread on social media, netizens came out in support of Kishore’s move.
Humour also surfaced amid the outrage. A tweet joked, “Good. Hopefully by the time his great grandson is old enough to drive, the case will be resolved.”
The case has sparked a larger debate on urban infrastructure and the suitability of Indian roads for luxury cars.
Are Indian Roads Failing Luxury Car Owners?
This incident has triggered wider concern over whether Indian roads are fit for luxury vehicles like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, or Audi.
Luxury vehicles come with low ground clearance, sensitive electronics, and high-performance engines—making them more vulnerable to poor road conditions.