To beat the scoring summer heat, Ahmedabad Traffic Police has come with an innovative idea of wearing 'AC helmets' while on duty. Recently the video gone viral in which Ahmedabad constable Divyarajsinh Rana and other five constables wearing 'AC helmets' and directing traffic. Under the trail, Pirana, Thakkar Nagar and Nana Chiloda in Ahmedabad are selected, confirms the police official.
What is AC helmet?
The AC helmet's were developed by students of Indian Institue of Management (IIM). AC helmet is featured a plastic top and build-in-fan-like structure, the power is provide using battery pack, which is worn by the traffic police on there waist. The battery pack of AC helmet is 8 hrs. in single full charge. However, AC helmet provide cool air and protect by dust. The weight is 500 gms more than normal helmets. The AC helmet comes with feature such as thin plastic top as compared to a normal riding helmet, and it comes with fan mechanism and few extra components.
Deputy Commissioner of Traffic Police East, Ahmedabad Safin Hasan said, "The AC helmets were given to me by the higher authorities to provide feedback. We identified three locations- Pirana Crossroads, Thakkar Nagar char rasta and Nana Chiloda Circle, which report high pollution and traffic volume. When you are working eight hrs a day, both pollution and noise take a toil on your body, especially at the Pirana Crossroad where there is a dumping yard."
Further, he added, "We have tried cartridge masks before AC helmets... they didn't perform well, causing breathing problems for officers." The AC helmets expeiments trail started on August 10,2023.If the pilot project succeeds, then the AC helmets will be given to all traffic constables in Ahmedabad.