A major traffic disruption unfolded on a crucial highway in Madhya Pradesh on Thursday night after a heavily loaded tractor met with an accident, bringing vehicular movement to a standstill for nearly half a day.
How the Nighttime Chaos Unfolded
The incident occurred around 8:30 pm on Thursday on the Nimbola railway overbridge along the busy Indore–Ichhapur highway. According to Burhanpur SP Devendra Patidar, the location was approximately eight kilometres from Burhanpur. A tractor, which was hauling two trolleys packed with sugarcane destined for the Ziri sugar mill, suffered a critical mechanical failure. The coupling rod of the vehicle snapped while it was on the overbridge, causing it to lose balance and topple over.
Massive Gridlock and Stranded Commuters
The immediate consequence was a massive spill of sugarcane across the carriageway, completely blocking the road. This triggered a traffic snarl that stretched for almost eight kilometres on both sides of the highway, effectively bringing movement to a crawl. Hundreds of vehicles, including buses, trucks, and private cars, were left stranded for hours. While no injuries were reported from the accident itself, commuters were forced to endure a grueling night. Many drivers spent hours waiting inside their vehicles, while others sought refuge at nearby roadside eateries or simply on the roadside itself.
In a critical situation, an ambulance carrying a patient was also caught in the gridlock. Fortunately, with the help of a local resident who guided it through a narrow diversion, the ambulance managed to navigate its way out and continue its journey towards Indore.
Clearance Efforts and Underlying Road Safety Issues
Police personnel from the Nimbola station reached the spot promptly after the accident. They worked alongside local residents through the night to clear the spilled sugarcane and restore traffic flow. The cleanup operation was extensive, and normal movement was only restored after a marathon 11-hour effort.
The incident has highlighted significant concerns among daily commuters and residents regarding road safety on this stretch. Many complained that the ongoing four-lane construction work, coupled with the poor condition of the road at several points, has made the highway increasingly vulnerable to such severe disruptions. Locals also pointed out that similar incidents have occurred in the past, often involving tractors ferrying sugarcane with two trolleys coupled together. This practice, they argue, raises serious questions about unsafe transportation methods on a route that handles heavy traffic volumes.
