Overloaded straw trolleys on Guna roads raise accident risk as harvest begins

With harvesting of kharif crops such as soybean and maize under way in Guna district, the unsafe and rule-violating transport of straw has picked up this year too on the main roads in and around the city, as it does every year. Trucks and tractor-trolleys loaded with straw are plying without following safety norms and could cause a major accident at any time.

Trolleys loaded with far more straw than their capacity are seen every day at major intersections, including the Bajrangarh bypass in the city. Because the straw is stacked very high, the vehicles lose balance and the risk of their overturning rises many times over. If a vehicle gets a sudden jolt or goes out of control on a turn, the lives of pedestrians and riders of smaller vehicles behind it are at risk at all times.

Local residents say that every year after the harvest, farmers and traders carry straw in disregard of traffic rules in a bid to make quick profits. People are angry that the trade has not been firmly curbed on the roads in time.

There is a provision for challans against over-size transport of straw, meaning carriage that is very wide and high. The police and administration have also appealed to straw operators and drivers to follow safety rules.

Vehicles carrying straw are permitted to enter the city only between 10 pm and 8 am. Trolleys must also keep both headlights on, have safety reflectors fitted, and cover the straw properly with a tarpaulin or net. An intensive checking drive will be run and punitive action taken against violators.