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Delhi’s rising heat has made traffic duty very tough for police staff posted on busy roads across the city. To help them deal with high temperatures, Delhi Traffic Police has started testing air-conditioned helmets and small battery fans at several traffic points.

Head Constable Ramesh Kumar, posted at Tughlaq Road in Central Delhi, said the cooling helmet has made a clear difference during afternoon duty. He said sweat usually keeps running down his face and head during long hours in the sun, but the new helmet keeps his head cooler.

Police officials said the cooling devices are being tested at heavy traffic points where staff members remain outside for many hours every day. Feedback from police personnel is also being collected during the trial period.

Delhi has seen strong heatwave conditions this summer, with temperatures crossing 40 degrees Celsius in many areas. Traffic police staff face direct sunlight, hot winds and smoke from vehicles during long shifts on roads and crossings.

Officials linked to the trial said the AC helmet is light in weight and runs on a rechargeable battery. The helmet can work for around eight to ten hours after full charging. Police staff using the device said the airflow inside the helmet helps reduce heat around the face and head.

The helmet has small cooling and air systems built inside to help lower heat during outdoor duty.

Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Manish Kumar said the project is still in the testing stage. He said officials are checking how well the devices work and how comfortable they are during daily use.

Along with cooling helmets and fans, Delhi Traffic Police has also started hydration vans in the New Delhi traffic area. These vans carry ORS drinks and lemonade for police staff posted at different traffic points.

The step aims to help traffic personnel stay safe from dehydration, tiredness and heat-related problems during peak summer days in the national capital.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has cleared projects worth more than Rs 1,000 crore under the government’s “Mission Yamuna” plan aimed at improving the condition of the Yamuna River in the capital.

Officials from the Chief Minister’s Office said the new projects will focus on cleaning the Najafgarh Drain, fixing and improving sewage treatment systems, and strengthening water flow management in different parts of Delhi.

At the same time, the Delhi government is also stepping up work against rising air pollution in the city.

A day earlier, Rekha Gupta visited different locations along with Cabinet Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa and MLA Harish Khurana to review pollution control machines developed in India.

Speaking during the visit, the Chief Minister said work against pollution is being carried out all year to help improve air quality and protect people’s health.

During the inspection, the team checked the STR 101 Filterless Air Purifier system. Around 21 units have been placed on Sat Guru Ram Singh Marg. Officials said the machine can process close to three lakh litres of air every hour and help cut smoke, dust, PM2.5, PM10, and other harmful particles in the air.

The officials also reviewed an anti-smog system fitted on electric vehicles. The machines are currently being used in crowded areas like Kirti Nagar and Mayapuri to control road dust and pollution caused by traffic.

Another pollution control machine, called PAWAN III, was checked near the Kirti Nagar Fire Station. The system works by trapping harmful particles coming from vehicles in heavy traffic zones.

In a message shared on X, Rekha Gupta said the PAWAN III machine showed a clear fall in pollution levels in nearby areas.

She also said the Delhi government will continue taking long-term steps to improve air quality and make the city healthier for residents.

Delhi stayed under strong heat on Saturday as the temperature remained much higher than normal in many parts of the city. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said no official heatwave was marked during the day, but the heat alert for Delhi will stay active till May 28.

The weather office said the maximum temperature for Saturday may go up to 44 degrees Celsius. Many areas in the capital have already seen very high daytime heat over the last few days.

Safdarjung, the city’s main weather centre, recorded a maximum temperature of 43.3 degrees Celsius on Friday. This was around three degrees higher than normal. The minimum temperature settled at 29.3 degrees Celsius.

Ridge became the hottest part of Delhi after recording 44.4 degrees Celsius. Palam, Lodhi Road and Ayanagar also saw temperatures crossing 43 degrees Celsius.

Weather experts said hot and dry winds coming from the Thar Desert pushed the temperature higher across north India.

Mahesh Palawat from Skymet Weather said winds from Rajasthan made the air very dry, leading to a sharp rise in daytime heat. He also said the wind direction has changed slightly, which helped bring a small drop in temperature on Friday.

Light thunderstorm activity may happen in some areas due to a weather system near Pakistan and parts of Punjab and Haryana. Still, experts said people should not expect major relief from the heat soon.

Palawat warned that Delhi may soon record temperatures close to 45 degrees Celsius. He added that the hot spell may continue till the end of May.

Some relief may arrive in early June when pre-monsoon rain activity starts in north India.

Delhi’s air quality stayed in the “moderate” category on Friday evening. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board showed the Air Quality Index (AQI) at 183.