Braving the sun to clear traffic snarls

Wearing a blue-coloured face mask, a 27-year-old traffic constable was busy monitoring traffic movement in the sizzling sun.The time was 12.30 pm and B Nataraj, standing in front of gate no 3 of the Hyderabad Public School, Begumpet says he has got accustomed to working under the glare of the summer sun.With day temperatures going up to more than 36 degrees Celsius in the twin cities, most Home Guards and traffic constables are having a tough time doing their job. “Working under such extreme heat conditions is quite difficult. But I have got used to the work ever since I started my profession as a police in the traffic wing,” said Nataraj.Standing at the small junction while controlling traffic, Nataraj says his usual day starts at 7.30 am and on most days there are frequent traffic in front of the school. “I come at least half-anhour before and leave at least an hour late, battling with the heat and clearing heavy traffic snarls. Sometimes, I carry bottled water to beat the heat," he said.His is not the singular story. Most traffic cops are facing the summer blues. Even after the higher-ups provided traffic umbrellas with comfortable seating facility at important junctions, the constables have to be on the streets to tackle roadblocks.“These umbrellas have been a great use to protect us to some extent from the sun and rain. We can sit and relax when we are tired. But ultimately our job is on the streets clearing regular traffic snarls with most VIPs, MLAs and ministers moving toward the junction as the chief minister’s camp office is located here," said J Seetaram, who is posted at the Greenlands junction.Meanwhile, to beat the summer heat, senior traffic officials have decided to distribute bottled water and UV-resistant sunglasses to the traffic constables, Home Guards and police personnel."We have decided to distribute bottled water and UV-resistant sunglasses to protect traffic cops from heat and dust. At least 2,500 cops will get their summer kits in a week," said GVG Ashok Kumar, deputy commissioner of police, traffic.Every summer, the police department spends money to provide basic protective material to traffic cops.Apart from organising regular medical camps, they will also get hunter shoes, reflective jackets and traffic batons.

By Mouli Mareedu

moulimareedu@gmail.com