Bangalore:
In Bangalore, 3000 traffic policemen are trying to manage 50 lakh vehicles - and, given the alarming pollution figures, their health is suffering.
Head constable Nagarajappa is due to retire in a few months' time and has spent the last 16 years of his career as a policeman in Bangalore's infamous traffic. His work involves standing in pollution for hours on end.
"When there is more smoke, the cough increases. We can't use a mask - because with a mask we can't blow the whistle. And without the whistle, people won't stop," he told NDTV.
"We can't take a break because we can't leave the point - what if an accident happens at that time? We can't always get a weekly off because there are no men. If there are men we get one day off a week or one day in 15 days," Nagarajappa adds.
Traffic Inspector RI Kasim agreed that it is a stressful and unhealthy job. "Definitely people do face health problems...The moment they go back home that's where the actual problem comes out. Out of the fatigue he may react in different psychological ways. Along with him his family has to bear the brunt," he said.
Acknowledging the health issues, the traffic department is going to have all traffic personnel tested for lung disease and lead poisoning. The department has now roped in private hospitals which will be testing all 3000 of them for lung disease.
Additional Commissioner of Police for Traffic, B Dayananda, told NDTV that hospitals would test for lung disease without charging the government - as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities. But funds will be needed to test the policemen for lead poisoning. He said, "We have two big concerns. One is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), which is a major thing that causes breathlessness and other things. This is because of exposure to smoke and dust. Second thing - we are also concerned about the lead poisoning by inhalation of lead substances."
The traffic department has approached the state government to fund the testing for lead poisoning which will cost Rs 500 per head.
Kiosks are also being considered to protect the traffic policeman from the worst of the pollution - but a long term solution would really be cleaning up the air.
But that seems a distant dream - and for now, Nagarajappa will carry the ill-effects of his demanding job into retirement with him.