Two individuals were killed in a collision between a motorcycle and a bullock cart in Telangana’s Kamareddy district on May 16, 2024. The incident occurred near the village of Domakonda on National Highway 44.
The victims, identified as Yellam Chandrasekhar (38) and his son Yellam Sai (8), were travelling on the motorcycle when it collided with a bullock cart that was illegally stacking paddy grains on the roadside. The bullock cart was part of a larger, unauthorized practice of farmers utilizing the main road to dry and store harvested paddy due to a lack of adequate storage facilities and delayed procurement by the government.
Police attribute the accident to the obstruction caused by the paddy grains piled on the highway, significantly reducing visibility and creating a hazardous driving condition. The impact of the collision resulted in the immediate deaths of both Chandrasekhar and Sai.
Local residents have been protesting the practice of drying paddy on the highway for some time, citing safety concerns. They allege that authorities have not taken sufficient action to prevent farmers from using the road for this purpose. The incident has reignited these protests, with villagers demanding immediate measures to address the issue and prevent future accidents.
Police have registered a case and are investigating the circumstances surrounding the collision. They are also working to clear the illegally stacked paddy from the highway. The incident highlights the ongoing problems with paddy procurement in the region and the lack of proper infrastructure for storing the harvest, leading to dangerous practices that endanger public safety. Authorities are facing pressure to expedite the procurement process and provide alternative storage solutions for farmers.
