Traffic police all set to say 'no entry' to leptospirosis

The city's traffic police have taken precautionary measures to combat the most prevalent ailment amongst the constables this monsoon - leptospirosis.

The city's traffic police have taken precautionary measures to combat the most prevalent ailment amongst the constables this monsoon - leptospirosis.

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Last year, around 15 traffic police constables had caught the disease.

"During the monsoon season, traffic policemen have to stand for hours together, even when it is raining, to keep the traffic moving and making sure that there are no jams on the roads. This makes them more susceptible to the disease," said a traffic police officer, requesting anonymity because he is not authorised to speak to the media.

To protect the policemen, the traffic department procured medicines and has already begun distributing them. "We have procured the medicines from the civic body and from doctors," said Nandkurmar Chougule, deputy commissioner of police (traffic).

"This is the first time that we are taking these measures. If it proves to be successful then we will continue with them next year as well," added Chougule.

"There are many other monsoon-related ailments that are a cause of worry for us. However, this is the most dangerous disease and hence we are taking precautionary measures," said another senior traffic police officer requesting anonymity.