Mandis overflow, wheat spills onto roads and schools

A bumper wheat crop has brought both cheer and chaos to Rohtak district, with local grain markets struggling to accommodate the massive inflow of produce. The lack of adequate storage space has forced farmers to dump wheat on roads and in open spaces, severely affecting traffic and drawing criticism from various quarters.

In Madina village, the main internal road is currently buried under heaps of wheat, causing traffic disruptions and leaving foodgrains exposed to the vagaries of the weather.

“We have no option but to dump our produce on the road owing to shortage of space at the local mandi,” lamented Naresh, a local farmer.

Farmers and arhtiyas (commission agents) say this problem recurs every harvest season, yet long-term solutions have eluded them.

Responding to concerns, Meham SDM Dalbir Singh attributed the current congestion to the sudden surge in arrivals due to mechanised harvesting using combined harvesters.

“A proposal has been prepared to establish a bigger grain market/purchase centre at a different location. This would resolve the matter permanently,” he assured, adding that the current situation would be managed shortly.

In addition to public roads, wheat was also temporarily stored on the premises of the village government school, raising objections from school authorities.

“A notice had been issued warning the persons concerned not to use the school premises for any such activity, otherwise legal action would be taken against them,” said Anuj Kumar, the school principal.

“No more foodgrains were dumped on the school premises after the issuance of the said notice. Much of the wheat produce dumped before that has been lifted and the school premises will be cleared soon.”