For policemen on VIP duty, no place to attend nature’s call

The Delhi Police are in informal talks with the civic agencies to install portable toilets at key locations for the benefit of its men who spend long hours in VIP duty with nowhere to attend nature’s call.

The Delhi Police are in informal talks with the civic agencies to install portable toilets at key locations for the benefit of its men who spend long hours in VIP duty with nowhere to attend nature’s call.

A Delhi Police officer briefs his staff at Red Fort in New Delhi ahead of Independence Day. On an average, 400 cops are deployed along a VVIP route, which essentially requires long hours of stationed duty. (Ajay Aggarwal/ HT Photo)

Senior officials said that hundreds of policemen are stationed in the Lutyens’ Zone as part of VVIP security route, especially along SP Marg towards the airport, but there are no spots for them to relieve themselves.

On an average 400 policemen are deployed along a VVIP route, which essentially requires many hours of stationed duty with continuous attention.

“Safeguarding our dignitaries and the people of the city is our priority and we will continue to do so. However, at the same time we also have to think about our men who stand for hours protecting the people against any untoward incident,” said a senior police official.

Sources in the police said that while informal discussions were already initiated to come up with viable options, a formal request was likely to be forwarded in the coming weeks.

“Constructing toilets along the major stretches may not be a viable option as it will be a hindrance to security, although clusters of portable toilets may be put up at certain points along the road side,” said a high ranking police official.

Officials in the municipal corporation, however, confirmed that while such a plan could be implemented, they awaited a formal request from the Delhi Police.

“The toilets can be installed around the stretch and they will not only help the police, but will be useful for citizens as well. While constructing such washrooms might be a lengthy procedure, temporary ones can be installed to tackle the issue,” said a municipal official.