Amid rising temperatures and severe heatwave conditions in the national capital, the Delhi Traffic Police has started using air-conditioned helmets and portable cooling fans to help personnel cope with extreme weather while managing traffic on busy roads.
The initiative comes as Delhi continues to witness intense summer conditions, with temperatures crossing 45 degrees Celsius in several parts of the city over recent days. Traffic police personnel, who spend long hours outdoors under direct sunlight regulating congestion and ensuring road safety, are among the most exposed frontline workers during the heatwave.
Visuals of traffic police officers wearing specially designed AC helmets and using small battery-operated fans at major intersections have drawn widespread attention on social media, with many users praising the move as an important step for personnel welfare.
According to officials, the cooling equipment is being introduced on a trial basis at selected traffic points across Delhi where heat exposure is particularly severe. The helmets are equipped with miniature ventilation and cooling systems intended to reduce heat stress during duty hours. Portable fans have also reportedly been distributed to personnel stationed at traffic booths and major crossings.
Delhi has been under repeated heatwave alerts issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), with authorities advising residents to avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight during afternoon hours. The heat conditions have raised concerns about dehydration, heatstroke and exhaustion among outdoor workers, including police personnel, sanitation staff and delivery workers.
Officials associated with the traffic department said the initiative is aimed at improving working conditions and reducing health risks faced by officers deployed during peak summer hours. Additional measures such as hydration support, shaded rest areas and adjusted duty rotations are also reportedly being implemented in several traffic zones.
The move has also triggered broader discussions around occupational safety for frontline personnel working in extreme weather conditions across Indian cities. In previous summers, several states introduced temporary cooling shelters, water stations and modified work schedules for workers exposed to prolonged outdoor heat.
The Delhi Traffic Police manages some of the country’s busiest urban roads and major intersections, often requiring officers to remain outdoors for extended periods even during peak heatwave periods. Officials said feedback from personnel using the new cooling equipment would be reviewed before any larger-scale deployment decision is taken.
With heatwave conditions expected to continue over the coming days, authorities are likely to intensify precautionary measures to protect personnel deployed on roads and public duty across the capital.