In December, we had reported about the challenges faced by the traffic cops in Gurgaon, who brave the toxic air as they manage traffic on the roads for up to twelve hours a day. Even though the Gurgaon Police has given all traffic cops anti-pollution masks, the policemen say that it isn’t enough when the pollution gets worse during peak hours. The department has paid heed, and installed clean air chambers at various major crossings across the city. These chambers – that have air purifiers – are installed on the platforms meant for traffic controllers, allowing the cops to perform their duties while breathing clean air. Senior police officials say that the chambers run on clean energy, as they come fitted with solar panels on top. There are over a dozen such chambers across Gurgaon, including the Golf Course Extension Road, which often sees higher levels of dust pollution due to ongoing construction work. The chambers were installed in some places as a pilot project in November and extended to other locations earlier this month. Gurgaon Police officials say that they plan to expand these chambers – or Clean Zones – to other parts of the city in the coming weeks. The project has been supported and financed by a leading auto manufacturer as part of their CSR. Hira Singh, ACP (Traffic) – Gurgaon, says, “We recognized that police personnel managing traffic need clean air, which is why this project was initiated in November. The chambers contain air cleaners and make sure that traffic policemen can stay out on the roads all day without having to battle the pollution.”We had reported in December that Gurgaon’s traffic policemen were developing health issues because of the toxic air The onset of the cold wave in the NCR region in January has meant that air quality in Gurgaon has once again plummeted to ‘Very Unhealthy’, with the AQI staying in the 200-250 range on most days. It had improved to 150 during December. An AQI of 50 or below is considered safe as per international standards. The traffic cops who use these chambers say they have helped them to a large extent. ASI Kaptan Singh , who is stationed at Bakhtawar Chowk, tells us, “We are managing traffic for up to nine-ten hours a day, so this helps because we have no option but to be out on the road. When you are in the chamber, you feel the air is cleaner.”

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