Traffic cops on weight-watch duty

It is not enough to look out for rash driving and traffic jams. The men in uniform who mind Delhi's roads now have to start watching their weight.

It is not enough to look out for rash driving and traffic jams. The men in uniform who mind Delhi's roads now have to start watching their weight.

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In keeping with their August resolve to HT of making the force 'smart and fit', the Delhi Traffic Police have issued an ultimatum to 86 of its portly personnel - shape up in the next three weeks or ship out.

The chosen ones - 16 sub inspectors, eight assistant sub inspectors, 27 head constables and 35 constables - were picked by range officers who were asked to submit a list of "pot-bellied" colleagues based on personal impressions.

As the plan goes, these men have to take a basic fitness test. "During the tests, their weight, waist size and chest size will be measured. The tests will be videographed so that no one gets undue advantage," said an officer. Those who fail the test would be sent to the traffic police lines for three weeks.

Satyendra Garg, joint commissioner of police (traffic) said: "In this period, they would have less work so they can focus on their exercise programmes and shed extra fat." If they manage to get rid of the paunch, they will be allowed retain their job. A senior traffic police officer said: "This is just the tip on the iceberg. This is the first lot of visibly unfit traffic policemen and the process will continue till the entire force becomes smart and fit."

"One can shed up to two kg of flab in three weeks by exercising an hour a day," said a senior doctor. The whole exercise has created a hullabaloo among a section of pot-bellied policemen. "Some of us have decided to hit gyms daily while some would take Anna Hazare's path of fasting," said a constable.