New Delhi: It was a relatively cooler Monday for ASI Veer Singh, deployed at a busy Chanakyapuri roundabout. Besides his usual whistle and walkie-talkie, he was sporting a prototype ‘AC helmet’ brought in by Delhi Traffic Police (DTP) for trial to help personnel cope with the harsh summer.
DTP has begun a pilot project under which 10 special helmets have been procured and distributed to traffic policemen, along with other measures to combat the heat, such as refrigerated refreshment vans, rechargeable portable fans, and additional roadside booths.
Often described as the foot soldiers of Delhi’s roads, traffic personnel are among those most exposed to the city’s extreme weather conditions. Singh travels from Shahdara and begins his day as early as 4am for his eight-hour shift. Amid the long commute and relentless hours under the blazing sun, officers like him battle far more than just traffic on the capital’s roads; they endure exhaustion, dehydration, and heat radiating from the asphalt below.
“We deal with intense heat, sweat and dehydration during the summer. Even our shoes begin slipping on the hot roads. This is providing some comfort during duty,” he said, pointing towards the helmet while clutching the portable fan in his hand. Singh is among the officers currently testing the cooling gear, drawing curious glances from commuters as he navigates traffic through the busy Chanakyapuri roundabout. For personnel like him, measures like cooling gear and refreshment support are proving to be a significant source of relief during peak summer duty hours.
Pilot Project and Feedback
“We have six helmets in the New Delhi range and are in the process of collecting feedback. If the response is positive, we will procure more helmets for wider circulation among personnel,” DCP (Traffic) Shobhit Saxena said.
Helmet Features
The helmet runs on a rechargeable battery that lasts four to five hours on a single charge. A digital panel placed at the back displays the remaining battery percentage and includes low and high cooling modes, along with the main power button. Designed with ventilation openings for airflow, the helmet, Singh said, feels more comfortable than traditional cloth caps that tend to trap heat under direct sunlight.
Additional Cooling Measures
Stationed nearby was also a refrigerated refreshment van stocked with cold water, ORS, and lemonade. Police said the van makes regular rounds across the district, while personnel can also request it at deployment points when required. Singh was additionally equipped with a rechargeable clip-on fan to provide airflow to the rest of the body. Extra booths have also been installed at key stretches, such as Teen Murti Marg and Kartavya Path, to provide personnel shelter from the heat.
This initiative highlights the department’s commitment to improving working conditions for traffic personnel, who often face the brunt of Delhi’s extreme climate. With positive feedback, the AC helmet could become a standard part of their gear in future summers.
