In a stark and powerful reversal of roles, the very tractors once dubbed “nuisance vehicles” by Punjab authorities have emerged as the state’s most vital rescue tools amid a severe flood crisis. As monsoon rains continue to batter the region, causing devastating floods in over 1,000 villages across districts like Pathankot, Gurdaspur, and Fazilka, these rural workhorses are proving to be the only viable means of reaching the most vulnerable communities.
Once targeted for lacking proper permits or causing road obstructions during police traffic drives, these tractors are now venturing deep into submerged areas where official government vehicles and emergency services are unable to operate. They are seen plowing through waist-deep water to rescue stranded families and deliver critical supplies, including food, drinking water, and medicine, to those who are completely cut off.
The Flood Control Room in Jalandhar has become a hub for coordinating these grassroots efforts, and can be reached at 0181-2240064 for emergencies.
The dramatic turnaround highlights the immense resilience of Punjab’s farming community and the deep disconnect that often exists between bureaucratic policy and ground realities. Villagers and tractor owners, many of whom have faced penalties in the past, are now risking their lives and their vehicles to help neighbors and strangers alike.
The flood crisis extends beyond Punjab’s borders, with similar challenges reported in neighboring states. In Himachal Pradesh, landslides and road blockages have isolated remote towns, while Uttarakhand is facing flash floods and cloudbursts. Jammu & Kashmir has also reported significant infrastructure damage. Authorities are working around the clock to provide assistance, with helplines activated across the country. The NDRF Control Room can be reached at 011-23438091, and the all-in-one emergency number for India is 112.
In the eyes of Punjab’s people, these tractors are no longer just agricultural machinery or traffic violators—they have become lifelines, and their drivers, true heroes.