Centre Asks State Governments To Regulate Travel Of People In Tractor Trolleys

Amid the increasing number of fatalities involving tractors, the Centre has asked the state governments to regulate ferrying of people in agricultural tractors, and enforce rules.

There are rising cases of fatalities among people travelling in tractors.

The motor vehicle law does not allow tractors and trolleys attached to these agricultural vehicles to transport people.

It is learnt that Road Transport Secretary Giridhar Aramane has written to all the chief secretaries to enforce the law as the state has the authority to implement the rules relating to the transport sector.

Sources added that while the state agencies need to play a proactive role, the people should be aware that these vehicles are meant for carrying only agricultural produce.

Government data shows that a total of 11,696 tractor travellers lost their lives in crashes during 2019-21.

These numbers are high considering that fatalities in all bus accidents during these years stood at 14,599. While buses are meant for carrying passengers, law prohibits tractors to transport people.

Experts said that since tractors and the attached trolleys usually ply on undulating surfaces, carrying people always pose a high risk to occupants.

There is a huge risk of toppling and thereby endangering lives of people in such vehicles.

However, the rules are rampantly violated across the country as there is hardly any enforcement.

Officials admitted that the issue of tractors is politically sensitive considering these are owned and operated by farmers.

In the past, even the Centre had to defer or withdraw amendments to bring in fresh vehicle and emission standards.