Clean Air Catalyst Supports Indore Traffic Police to Combat Air Pollution

Indore

May 6

By Sudhir Gore, May 6, 2023

INDORE: Last week, Ramnaresh Baghel of the traffic police department was on duty at the Choithram Sabji Mandi Square. He stopped some car owners and asked them about their PUC certificates—a pollution control certification that indicates a vehicle’s emissions do not exceed levels set by the government. Baghel, who always wears a N-95 mask while on duty, says,” it is necessary for each vehicle owner to travel with their pollution under control (PUC) certificate as now we are going to stop all vehicles that are spreading pollution in the city.”

Baghel was among the 160 traffic police officers who took part in an awareness training program on the health impacts of air pollution held May 4-7. Now, while on duty, he is making people aware of air pollution through counselling, warnings and even fines.

Traffic police officer Mohini Goyal, who also attended the program, learned for the first time about domestic air pollution and ways to combat it during the training. Haritpal Pandey, another attendee, said that local traffic police were given essential information about how to stay protected and remain healthy while facing air pollution on the job, like taking regular morning walks, drinking sufficient water and eating a balanced diet.

Officer Vivek Parmar said, “we will, of course, take care of our health but at the same time we will inform our family members and relatives about the dangers arising from air pollution and what we should do to save ourselves from it.” Rajesh Jaiswal said, ”at the training program we learned that we should always wear a mask while on duty, keep ourselves fit and try to help people from the deleterious effects of air pollution.” Shekhar Gawli said, “At the training program we learned about the diseases that are caused by air pollution and steps we should take to reduce our exposure to them.”

During the training program, the traffic officers also offered ideas about how to raise awareness around air pollution sources and their health impacts. Amit Kumar Yadav said, “like moral education, we should also be informed about air pollution; it should be included in school texts. Also, separate books should be circulated to inform the public about air pollution and the ways to reduce it.” Officer Goyal said that along with this training, they should also undergo a fitness test and raise awareness among women about air pollution, its sources and how to reduce it.

This training program was organized at the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) office training hall, Regal Square, by Vital Strategies on behalf of the Indore Traffic Police Department and Clean Air Catalyst.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Traffic Manish Kumar Agrawal said, “It was a very fruitful training program on air pollution for our traffic police officials. I am confident that our colleagues will follow all they have learned in this training program by Clean Air Catalyst and implement it in their day-to-day lives to keep themselves healthy and fit.”

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Arvind Tiwari said that air pollution is a very important subject for traffic police officials as they have to work outdoors under the blazing sun, pouring rain, air pollution, noise pollution, etc. every day. “Through this training programme, we have come to know how to measure air pollution and how to remain healthy even while facing these odds” said special guest Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) superintending engineer Mahesh Sharma about the four-day training provided by Clean Air Catalyst and continued "[it] is important because it shows that IMC is concerned about the health of all those who are involved in traffic management.

Presentations from Catalyst representatives included information about health and climate impacts of air pollution, how it affects men and women differently, and how the Catalyst is working to build a shared understanding of air pollution sources and impacts.