Uphill task for cops to regulate traffic in scorching heat

Neeraj Bagga
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, June 3

Rush of traffic and cacophony of vehicular noise amid scorching heat, coupled with absence of sophisticated traffic gadget, have made the job of traffic cops a daunting task in the summer.

Ahead of the Operation Bluestar anniversary, traffic police personnel can be seen standing at intersections.

They regulate the traffic for hours together without umbrella and sheds to escape the sunlight.

Traffic cops can be seen at Bhandari railway overbridge, Hall Gate, Crystal Chowk, Novelty Chowk, outside Income Tax Colony on Lawrence Road, SSSS Chowk, Batala Road, Majitha Road, Ram Talai Chowk and at other intersections in the city.

Talking to Amritsar Tribune, most of them said the sweltering heat was no problem as it was their job to regulate the traffic. What disturbs them the most is their long duty hours. “Air and noise pollution drives us mad. Cops on traffic management duty have to consult doctors on a regular basis. Over the years, service condition has become slightly irritable. However, traffic cops are to manage such problems,” they say.

To deal with ever the increasing vehicular numbers, managing traffic in the sweltering heat is an onerous task, especially when their booths, made of tin sheets, are warmer than the roads. It is nothing less than a nightmare to perform the duty.

Former health minister Laxmi Kanta Chawla said employees of the Punjab Police were performing duty for over eight hours a day. She said the state government must value the human rights of police personnel. She added that this must be one of the reasons behind police personnel being blamed for rude behaviour.

She demanded incentives for them and free medical tests, medical advice to minimise the impact of weather on their well being.

Chawla stressed that rulings from various courts had directed state governments to limit the duty hours of police personnel to eight hours.