Agri dept turns blind eye; tractor abandoned years ago rusts, creates trouble for nearby household

Pathanamthitta: An old tractor abandoned at a household years ago has turned into a headache for the landowner. The aging tractor was left at Gopakumar’s house in Pallikkal. Idle for 13 years, it has started rusting. It is not just an eyesore, but also a menace for the nearby household.

Way back in 2008, the tractor was brought to the nearby field by the agricultural department as a part of Kerala government’s people’s planning movement in the village. However, it got damaged in the first use itself.

The farmers managed to tow the tractor from the field. Officials of the agriculture department parked it at Gopakumar’s house as there was no sufficient space on the sideways of the nearby road. Its iron wheel was detached and was kept apart.

Though the tractor only had minor issues, it was not fixed. The authorities turned a blind eye and since 13 years it has been kept idle. Despite the requests, it was not removed from the place. The iron wheel got completely corroded, while the tractor has been rusting.

People collecting damaged metals and scrap have been asking Gopakumar’s family for the parts and items of the tractor. “We spend sleepless nights fering theft. If someone gets away with any part of the tractor, then we will be responsible for it. So, we have to keep it safe,” Gopakumar said.

Meanwhile, according to Agricultural Officer Roni Varghese there is no option other than selling it as scrap. It has become obsolete and unusable due to aging, Roni said.