In a pioneering move, the Ranchi district police have introduced fan-fitted cooling jackets to help traffic personnel stay cool while on duty during the scorching summer months. On Friday, five traffic officers were equipped with these battery-powered jackets on a pilot basis. The initiative aims to provide relief as temperatures continue to rise in the state capital, which recorded a maximum daytime temperature of 38.9°C on Friday. Other cities in Jharkhand, such as Jamshedpur and Daltonganj, saw even higher mercury levels at 43.1°C and 45.2°C, respectively.
Design and Functionality
The fan-fitted jackets are designed to keep traffic cops comfortable by providing continuous airflow, reducing sweating, and lowering body temperature for up to eight hours. With the pilot rollout, Ranchi joins cities like Gurgaon, Hyderabad, and Ahmedabad that have previously implemented similar measures.
Inspiration and Feedback
Traffic Superintendent of Police (SP) Rakesh Singh revealed that the idea was inspired by the Ahmedabad police, who distributed cooling jackets to around 3,000 personnel. "Traffic police personnel face a lot of inconvenience managing traffic during the summer, standing on roads for long hours. Although traffic posts are set up at various locations across the city, officers cannot manage traffic from a seated position all the time," Singh explained. The jackets were initially distributed to five personnel to assess their effectiveness. Feedback from users will be collected after a few days of use, and based on that, a decision will be made regarding wider implementation for the entire force.
Additional Features
Beyond cooling, the jackets are equipped with reflective strips to improve visibility on dark roads at night, thereby reducing accident risk. The traffic SP also noted, "The cooling jackets are waterproof and can be used as raincoats during the monsoon by unplugging the batteries. In winter, the same jackets can provide protection from the cold."
Cost and Procurement
Regarding the cost, Singh stated, "A Gujarat-based company has provided us with sample jackets to use. We are waiting for user feedback before working on budgeting."
Immediate Benefits
Traffic officer Santosh Kumar Paswan, stationed at Albert Ekka Chowk, reported immediate benefits: "The jacket has given immense relief from the heat. I barely sweated today, unlike other days when excessive sweating causes dehydration, and I have to drink fluids to stay hydrated. Also, the jacket is lightweight."
