14-hour duty, but no toilets for traffic cops

Tribune News Service

Jammu, April 27

Even as traffic has improved in Jammu city since the new Inspector General of Police (Traffic) took over, traffic policemen have been suffering due to the lack of basic facilities for them during their long duty hours.

The main problem they face is the absence of toilets at public places. As they are stationed on roads and intersections for almost 14 hours daily, they have no access to toilet facilities, which is also affecting their health.

A traffic policeman posted at Gujjar Nagar Chowk has been advised by a doctor to drink more water to tackle water loss during summer days. “In summer, one feels very thirsty and one has to consume a lot of water. There are, however, no toilets near our duty areas. At times, I go near the cremation ground where there is a toilet but that is not possible every time,” said the traffic policeman, wishing not to be named.

Woman traffic police officers, who also manage the traffic from 7 am to 9 pm daily, too face the same problem. “When traffic policemen find it difficult to relieve themselves, one can understand how difficult it is for a woman officer,” said a police woman.

The J&K Police get lakhs of rupees every month from the salaries of its employees for the welfare fund. However, these funds have never been used to address the basic needs of the traffic police.