Daijiworld Media Network - Latur
Latur, Oct 24: Police and transport authorities in Maharashtra have stepped up road safety measures following an increase in sugarcane transportation during the 2026-27 crushing season, warning sugar factories, vehicle owners and drivers against violations of traffic regulations.
Latur Superintendent of Police Amol Tambe has warned sugar factory managements of legal action if accidents resulting in fatalities occur due to sugarcane transport vehicles operating without reflectors and safety stickers.
He has directed factories to ensure that trucks, tractors with trolleys and bullock carts transporting sugarcane are fitted with high-quality reflectors at the front and rear to improve visibility, particularly at night, according to a report by The Times of India.
The warning comes after the crushing season began on October 15, increasing the movement of cane-laden vehicles on national highways, state highways and major roads across Latur district.
Tambe said legal action would be initiated against vehicle owners and responsible sugar factory managements under applicable laws if failure to comply with safety requirements resulted in fatal accidents.
Meanwhile, the Baramati Sub-Regional Transport Office (RTO) held a special meeting on Thursday to strengthen monitoring and prevent accidents during the crushing season.
Vehicle operators were instructed to follow prescribed speed limits, comply with traffic regulations and exercise additional caution while transporting sugarcane at night. Drivers were also warned against driving under the influence of alcohol and playing loud music through vehicle loudspeakers.
The RTO stressed that sugarcane trolleys must not be overloaded and that reflective strips should be installed at the rear of transport vehicles.
Sub-Regional Transport Officer Surendra Nikam said sugar factories should inspect vehicles at their entry gates to ensure compliance with safety requirements. He also called for awareness programmes to educate drivers about road safety and accident prevention, adding that enforcement teams would take action against vehicles violating traffic regulations.
The meeting was attended by agriculture officers and representatives of Daund Sugar, Bhima Sugar, Karmayogi Sugar, Baramati Agro, Someshwar, Malegaon and Chhatrapati sugar factories. Assistant Regional Transport Officers Rahul Gawade and Anil Shelar were also present.
Cane-laden vehicles often move slowly and can obstruct traffic on busy roads. Poor visibility due to missing reflectors increases the risk of collisions at night, while overloading can affect vehicle stability, cause sugarcane to spill onto roads and disrupt traffic.
Latur district police said sugar factory managements had previously received written instructions from the road safety committee and other concerned agencies to install reflectors and safety stickers on transport vehicles. Authorities have now emphasised the need for strict implementation.
Police and transport officials have appealed to factory managements, vehicle owners and drivers to ensure that vehicles carry valid documents, adhere to loading limits and speed restrictions, and comply with traffic regulations. They said coordinated efforts were essential to prevent accidents during the sugarcane crushing season.