Hyderabad: A recent granite lorry accident on the Warangal–Khammam National Highway 563 has renewed concerns over the growing safety risks from overloaded and speeding trucks in the Mahabubabad district. Continuous violations of transport regulations have caused a steady rise in fatal crashes involving granite carriers.
Granite from the erstwhile Warangal district continues to move through Thorrur and Maripeda en route to Khammam, Chennai, and Bangalore. This movement persists despite restrictions. Overloading, drunken driving, and reckless speeding have damaged roads and led to frequent accidents.
The district has 197 active quarries, including 168 for black granite and two for coloured stone. More than 500 lorries operate daily, many transporting granite illegally at night. Police, mining, and vigilance departments have largely failed to conduct regular inspections or penalise offenders.
Authorities allow only 4 metric tons per lorry, yet operators often load more than 7 tons. Safety guidelines require chains, covered loads, and adherence to speed limits, but these rules are routinely flouted.
Overloaded trucks linked to multiple fatal crashes
Several deadly accidents underline the gravity of the issue. Two years ago, three people died in Kuravi mandal when granite sheets crushed an autorickshaw. On March 11, 2025, a lorry swerved to avoid an Innova at Subedari Forest Office Junction and hit a divider, injuring several and damaging public property.
Another major crash occurred on July 5 near Ellampeta village, where two lorries collided head-on and caught fire, killing both drivers and a cleaner. On October 17, a truck rammed into a flock of sheep at Matedu village, killing 12 animals. Four days later, on October 21, a lorry struck a divider at the Thorrur bus stand, injuring two people and scattering granite slabs across the road.
Locals say the risks are well-known, but enforcement remains lax. They have urged immediate inspections and strict penalties for violators.
“Granite lorries violating safety rules must be seized without delay,” said Dharawat Jaising of Thorrur town.