Bhubaneswar, March 17: Police will arrange drinking water for traffic constables and havildars at various places in the city and provide them with equipment to get protection from the scorching sun.

With the day temperature remaining constantly above 37 degrees Celsius, it is gradually becoming difficult to work outside. But, the traffic cops have to be there at the crossings throughout the day.

To keep them fit and overcome dehydration, the commissionerate is planning to provide them with hand gloves, umbrellas, shades, hats, handkerchiefs or scarves. Besides, there will be arrangements to supply them drinking water at the traffic posts.

"Like previous years, we ware talking with some private organisations that would come forward to take the responsibility of providing water to our personnel at the traffic posts. They will provide Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) powder-mixed water and cold water to the traffic personnel," said assistant commissioner of police (traffic) Jatindra Kumar Panda.

Moreover, the traffic posts would be fixed with fans and kept white, so that these can reflect heat and keep the inside a bit cooler. Besides, the traffic personnel would alternate duties in regular intervals and take rest under any nearby shady places.

"We also are instructing these personnel to drink as much water possible to avoid dehydration. Besides, they are told to take care of themselves to avoid falling prey to sunstroke," said an official.

A traffic cop said that in the coming days, when hot wind would start blowing, it would be a tough task for them to be on duty during the day hours.

"The hot wind will make things difficult for us to stand at the posts and manage the traffic. Still, we have to do our duty, and for that, we have started taking our own precautions. Sometimes we leave the posts and keep watch on the road from a shady place and manage the vehicular movement from there as well," said a constable.

In another development, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation has started setting up roadside temporary water kiosks called jal chhatras that would provide water to the passers by. The mayor last week inaugurated one such kiosk in the city and hinted that around 100 such kiosks would come up at various places in collaboration.

"The corporation will provide space and water, while the private parties will manage the kiosks and provide services to people. This is aimed to keep tabs on sunstroke-like incidents in the city," said the mayor.