Roads Turn Into Death Traps as Farmers Dry Paddy, Maize

Drying agricultural produce on roads has emerged as a major traffic hazard in the erstwhile Karimnagar district, with several motorcyclists meeting with accidents after hitting heaps of paddy and maize spread across roads. While many people have sustained injuries in such incidents, a few have also lost their lives.

In one such incident, Maripelli Ramesh (29) died after the motorcycle he was riding skidded on maize spread out to dry on a road at Gorrepalli. A native of Etikyalam village in Raikal mandal of Jagtial district, Ramesh had visited his sister's house at Viviraopet in Mallapur mandal. While returning, he attempted to avoid a TGSRTC bus coming from the opposite direction and rode over the maize crop spread on the road. The motorcycle skidded, throwing him onto the road and leaving him with severe injuries. He later died while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Karimnagar.

In another incident on May 17 last year, Nerella Ranjith Kiran (32) died after the motorcycle he was travelling on hit a heap of paddy near Mallapur in Thimmapur mandal. Ranjith, a native of Mugdumpur, was returning from Mallapur along with his friend Sadij when the accident occurred. While Ranjith died on the spot, Sadij sustained injuries.

Another youngster lost his life in a similar accident at Mallareddypet in Ghambiraopet mandal of Rajanna-Sircilla district on May 14, 2025. Sheik Khaleel and his friend Shekhar were travelling by motorcycle from Lingannapet to Mallannapet when their vehicle met with an accident. Khaleel died on the spot, while Shekhar sustained serious injuries.

In another incident, a couple, Sammi Reddy and Manemma, sustained serious injuries after their motorcycle hit a heap of paddy on the road between Mamidalapalli and Pachunur. Though Sammi Reddy recovered, Manemma died four days later while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Hyderabad. Several other people have also sustained injuries in similar accidents across the district.

The increase in paddy cultivation, particularly in the erstwhile Karimnagar district, following improved irrigation facilities has resulted in a significant rise in production. Earlier, farmers engaged labourers to harvest the crop and dried it in their fields before transporting it to the market. However, the growing use of harvesters has made drying the produce a major challenge.

Authorities at paddy procurement centres (PPCs) are insisting that farmers bring completely dried produce. As most farmers lack adequate space at their homes to dry the harvested crop, they are increasingly using roads as drying yards.

In some areas, farmers are even reserving stretches of roads in advance by placing empty fertiliser bags, as competition for drying space has intensified. On the stretch between Abad Jammikunta and Veenavanka, farmers have occupied one side of the road for nearly 10 km. In certain places, they have even blocked access by placing tree branches across the road.

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, N. Sadanandam, a farmer from Valbapur village in Veenavanka mandal, said it was not possible to dry paddy in the fields after harvesting it with machines. "Except for roads, we have no other option to dry the paddy," he said. Asked about vehicular movement, he said farmers allowed traffic to use one side of the road.