BANGALORE: Due to the alarming increase of pollution in the city, traffic police have been provided hygienic masks to save them from pollution and transmission of other respiratory-related diseases. The increase in the number of autorickshaws and other vehicles on the roads of Bangalore has resulted in the increase of smoke being emitting from the vehicles exposing the traffic men on duties to harmful air.Taking note of fact that cops were suffering from respiratory problems, sneezing, sinusitis, cough and bronchitis caused by the pollution, the traffic police have been provided the face masks to protect them from pollution. However, an observation in the city reveals a different tale. Most of them do not use the face masks which are provided to them because they are flimsy, get spoiled and are uncomfortable. The reason, says Raju (name changed), a traffic police near the Queen’s Road circle, “The masks provided to us are very big and it is difficult to wear them constantly for hours. I get a headache if I use it for a long period and the jaw line gets stressed out.”Another traffic policeman Arpit (name changed), who covers his face and nose with a cloth during the morning hours when the traffic is at its peak near Ulsoor, feels that the quality of the masks is not good and they get spoiled soon. “The masks get spoiled in few months, sometimes even days since they are not good quality. We have to buy them ourselves at our own cost from the pharmacy because there is no use in requesting the traffic station to give us a fresh one. They take a lot of time to do so.” When asked about the masks to the Traffic Commissioner Praveen Sood, he said, “Wearing masks is not compulsory but it is advisable. We have tried everything from imported masks which are internationally used in countries like USA and Japan to simple cloth masks which are found comfortable by the cops. The point here is that the job of a traffic police is very different in India. He has to control the traffic, whistle at the speeding vehicles, speak and coordinate on the wireless and many a time they get into an argument with people. It is a very hectic job and very different from countries abroad where things are systematic. So wearing a mask for a long period becomes uncomfortable for many.” He further added, “The masks get spoiled not because they are of inferior quality but because they are not designed to combat the incessant dust from the construction in the city. In foreign countries this scenario does not exist. The dust makes the filter dirty in a week, and the filter needs to be cleaned for the same reason. The filter cannot be washed, and if not changed, it is very unhygienic. We also provided disposable masks but no matter what we try, due to the nature of the work the cops find it uncomfortable and hence do not wear it.” Rains have hit Bangalore and as the city prepares itself with adequate water gear, the traffic police are further worried about the traffic congestions and water logging on the road. But have they been provided the necessary water gear? While speaking to a particular traffic policeman, we found out that there were some things missing. He said, “We have been given raincoats so far, but no umbrella or shoes have been provided. We do not even have reflective jackets. Each year we are given only one uniform cloth. And we have to get it stitched ourselves. We spend around `200 to `250 but we don’t get the money reimbursed. How are we supposed to manage with just one uniform? I buy the cloth on my own and get two more uniforms stitched.” Responding to that Praveen Sood said, “How can you expect a traffic police to work while holding an umbrella. How would he be able to give directions? The fact is that, we have already provided them with raincoats and once rains are at the peak, we will give them boots as well. As far as the reflective jackets are concerned, there is a stigma associated with the police that only construction workers and labourers engaged in menial jobs wear those jackets, so why should we wear them? The rule says that after 6 pm the cops should wear the jackets, but they don’t do so and keep complaining about many things. About 2,000 to 3,000 jackets have been distributed. They are sturdy and last for three to four years.” “The entire police department gets three sets of uniforms every two years. Every three to four months we get fresh stock of masks. Total there are 3,000 traffic policemen of which 900 are on the road. These masks are distributed at the traffic stations and is given only to the ones who are on the road,” he further adds.
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