Amid searing heat, Hyderabad traffic police personnel brave the sun to keep the city moving on Friday.
| Photo Credit: SIDDHANT THAKUR
At the Sitaphalmandi intersection, a constable props himself against a traffic sign, seeking relief under the thin strip of shade cast by a signboard. He sips from a half-finished bottle of water and has a sachet of orange-flavoured glucose.
Across the junctions in the city, traffic police in white – heads wrapped in kerchiefs beneath their caps – can be seen moving through the blistering heat, directing vehicles and occasionally whistling.
“Can’t help it. It’s our duty,” says Sub-Inspector Niranjan, managing traffic at the Tarnaka junction in the scorching afternoon.
“We carry water bottles, glucose – two flavours – orange and lemon, 500 grams each – and buttermilk, which is handed out to us by the department around noon,” he says.
With temperatures dangerously close to 43°C, Hyderabad’s traffic personnel are being pushed to their physical limits. Yet, under the city’s blistering sun, they still hold the line, monitoring flow from the shade when possible and stepping into junctions when congestion spikes.
On ground at several busy intersections, including Paradise, Ranigunj, CTO and Alwal T-junction, police presence remains strong.
“Shifts are from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., and night duty,” explained G. Shankar Raju, Assistant Commissioner of Police Traffic (North).
“We provide the traffic personnel with umbrellas, buttermilk, and glucose packets. During morning and evening roll calls, we make it a point to ask if anyone is unwell. If someone is sick, we refer them to hospital care,” he says.
According to the ACP, traffic personnel are not made to stay on the road continuously. “In big junctions, there are at least two traffic policemen. If anyone feels uneasy or dehydrated, we replace them immediately – even provide medical aid if needed. When someone is having dehydration issues, we’re advising rest,” says Mr. Raju.
At smaller intersections, especially during the 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. stretch, policemen take refuge under traffic umbrellas or in shaded corners, stepping out only when the flow demands. Yet, during peak hours, between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m., and again from 5 p.m. and 7.30 p.m., they are expected to be on the road, heatwave or not.
“Water bottles are being provided by the department,” added Shiva Kumar from Central Zone Traffic police.
“One constable is assigned to hand out a 200 ml packet of buttermilk to each officer on duty. We’ve been advised to carry enough water and make smart use of shade when available.”
The sight of traffic policemen gulping buttermilk beside whirring portable fans inside a nearby control kiosk paints a picture of quiet resilience.
Published – April 25, 2025 06:51 pm IST
