Karnataka launches Statewide respiratory surveillance for traffic police

A comprehensive respiratory health screening of Bengaluru’s traffic police personnel has prompted the Karnataka Home Department to launch a first-of-its-kind Statewide respiratory health surveillance and research programme for traffic police and other frontline personnel exposed to urban air pollution.

The initiative follows a two-year screening project conducted at Vaayu Chest and Sleep Specialists in Bengaluru, where 3,287 traffic police personnel underwent respiratory and general health assessments between November 2023 and December 2025. Of these, data of 2,450 policemen was analysed. Based on the findings, the Home Department has now decided to expand the effort into a long-term State-level programme aimed at generating scientific evidence for preventive action and policy interventions.