Delhi Police: As the AQI drops to a severe category, Delhi Police introduces a “Winter Safety Plan” for traffic officers
Delhi Police: Police in the nation’s capital have created a thorough winter safety plan to shield over 6,000 traffic workers from the damaging effects of cold and pollution, authorities said Monday, as Delhi struggles with “severe” air quality and poor visibility brought on by heavy fog.
According to a senior Delhi Traffic Police official, the efforts include giving out high-quality air-filter masks and winter clothing in addition to routine health examinations to protect the staff members who work long hours on city roadways.
A senior Delhi Traffic Police official told PTI, “Traffic personnel are closer to health risks as they stand for hours to maintain traffic.”
Because they spend eight to ten hours outside, sometimes without shelter, traffic police officers are among the most vulnerable groups every year when the city is covered in a heavy smog and the quality of the air declines. The department has made the decision to make the safeguards for them even more robust.
The officer said that around 50,000 high-quality masks have already been delivered, and that about 6,000 traffic officers have received N-95 masks, winter clothing, and other necessary equipment.
Fluorescent jackets have been given to traffic officers to help them stay visible to commuters while controlling traffic, addressing safety issues brought on by low visibility.
“To improve visibility at night and in foggy weather, reflective fluorescent stickers are being applied to Delhi Police roadblocks. In order to lower the chance of accidents, commuters have been encouraged to turn on their fog lights at night, the officer said.
The likelihood of traffic accidents is greatly increased by poor visibility. “The department is taking preventive measures to safeguard both road users and their personnel by improving the visibility of the barricades and providing fluorescent jackets to the traffic personnel,” the officer said.
Additionally, we advise commuters to drive carefully and to turn on their fog lights at night. Parking lights are crucial if the car is stationed,” he said.
The project, according to another officer, is a component of a larger welfare and safety plan developed by the Delhi Police to mitigate the effects of wintertime temperature drops and air pollution.
Due to heavy fog, visibility has decreased in many areas of the city, and Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) has regularly surpassed 400 in recent days, putting it in the “severe” category. The AQI finished at 498 on Monday, which is in the “severe” category’s upper range.
In order to keep an eye on the staff members’ physical and mental health and provide prompt medical assistance when needed, the Delhi Traffic Police has started hosting regular health camps at its Todapur headquarters, the official said.
“Throughout the year, we have health camps at the traffic police headquarters two or three times a month. Our officers are examined by specialists, including as general practitioners, ophthalmologists, and psychologists, who also assist them in managing the stress brought on by extended exposure to pollutants and taxing work environments,” he said.
According to the Delhi Traffic Police, as part of the larger welfare strategy, other measures are also being put into place, such rotating deployment during harsh weather and hydration assistance.