Hazards beyond the monsoon
Summer brings a different battle — dust and pollution. “Dust gets into our eyes and throat. At night, our eyes itch so badly we can’t sleep,” said a constable. Many eat jaggery and bananas to clear their throats after inhaling smoke and dust.
“New personnel often fall sick in the first month, suffering from nausea, fever, or both, until their bodies adjust. Life expectancy is shorter for us. We work in constant pollution, and the noise from relentless honking affects us too,” said another officer.
Long hours, little family time
Shift timings officially run 8 am to 2 pm and 2 pm to 10 pm for constables, and 9 am to 9 pm for sub-inspectors. In reality, rain, jams or special duties extend hours late into the night.
“We start early and return after 10 pm. My kids are asleep both when I leave and when I return. I miss festivals and family events. This is common in every police household,” said a sub-inspector.
Sometimes, personnel on outstation duties sleep in the station. “Even in our dreams, we’re directing traffic,” joked one officer.
Accidents and risks on duty
On April 7, 2025, at Miyapur Metro Station, a lorry hit a traffic umbrella during high winds, killing Home Guard Simhachalam and injuring constables Rajavardhan and Vikender.
“We were minutes from leaving. A gust of wind hit, and in seconds I was on the ground. The umbrella rod struck Simhachalam’s head,” said Vikender. He did not tell his family until the next day.
Home Guards say there is no ex gratia for those who die on duty. “We don’t have PF or other benefits. If someone dies in uniform while working, the government should compensate the family, but it doesn’t,” said one home guard.
Officers often face verbal abuse during checks. “An educated car owner once asked how I dared stop him on the main road, accusing us of wasting his time. This attitude is common,” said a Panjagutta traffic police officer.
At some junctions, a single officer works for hours. “If he steps away briefly for tea or to use the toilet, someone complains, often the same people we caught for violations earlier,” said a home guard.
Tech help, but only so much
High-rise cameras in the control room help locate congestion spots, sometimes covering over a kilometre. “They help us a lot, but on the ground, public cooperation is still essential,” said an officer.
In the words of one weary constable: “We stand in the dust, rain and noise, working beyond our hours. People think clearing traffic is our only job, but we’re doing others’ work too, often without thanks, and sometimes without safety.”
