BY JOAO SOUSA M | NT NETWORK
PANAJI: The extreme heat has taken its toll on the traffic police in the state with more than 40 per cent of police staff reporting sick. The traffic police have strength of around 300 policemen deployed all over the state in all the police stations.

A senior official from the traffic cell said that nearly 40 per cent of the on-field staff have reported sick with various ailments. He also said that a large number of traffic police have also developed blood pressure problems, diabetes besides other health complications.
He said a traffic policeman reports for duty as early as 7 a.m. and winds up only at around 8 to 8.30 p.m. with a 90-minute break in the afternoon. He said the unforgiving weather is affecting them severely as they have to stand in the sun to monitor the traffic and also check for traffic violations.
The senior official also admitted that with the large number of staff falling sick, the functioning of the traffic cells across the state has hampered, however they are trying their best to overcome the problem.
When asked what safety measures were being taken with regard to the health of the traffic cops, he said that all the traffic police were given masks; however they are reluctant to wear the masks as they cause ‘obstruction’ while blowing the whistle. However, those monitoring the mining areas of Curchorem and Usgao are wearing them.
Further he said the masks get spoilt very fast as they get dusty hence the traffic police avoid using them even though they are aware of the health implications. The official admitted that the traffic police are not in the best of physical health.
He said that factors like long duty hours, no proper food and shortage of staff are taking its toll on the traffic police. He also added that due to the manpower shortage the traffic police cannot be sent for refresher courses as well as fitness programmes.
The Panaji traffic cell too has been hit with the summer bug with seven of the 19 constables reporting sick, besides three hawaldars and two officers. A police officer from the traffic cell informed that the functioning of the traffic cell has got hampered. He said that two constables -- one as rider and one as pillion rider -- move around the capital city to check for traffic violations.
With seven constables falling sick just 12 are left to man the entire area for traffic violations, however “we are trying our level best not let it hamper the functioning of the cell,” the senior officer said.