AGARTALA,May 05 (TIWN): In the scorching heat of summer ,they streamline the chaotic traffic on the city roads but their demands are rarely heard. Working in tough conditions, these selfless women traffic police personnel do not even have a proper urinal to attend nature’s call.

The 15 women traffic police personnel in the city even drink less water to avoid going to the toilet. To compound woes, the long duty hours, ranging from six to 12 hours exaggerates their problem.

A traffic police on duty in the city requesting anonymity  told TIWN: “There is no toilet for us (women traffic police). Most of the times, I have to hold my nature’s call. Also, I try to drink less water during duty hours. I know that holding on to nature’s call and drinking less water is not at all good for health but I have no option,”

 “Our male counterpart  don’t face much problem during duty hours as they can urinate in the open like most people do in the absence of urinals. But we can’t do it.” says the traffic cop, lamenting that even if a report on the plight of women traffic police is published, nothing would change.

Another traffic police on duty at a post near Jackson gate heart of the city says , “We have to be on duty for six to 8 hours. Sometimes, it seems like a patience test during summer, I am taking precaution by drinking less water.” She added that many of her women colleagues face problems like constipation owing to skipping nature’s call. “If any one of us suffers from loose motion, it becomes a nightmare. If possible, we take leave but if it is not granted, we have to face an arduous task by holding on to nature’s call,” she added..

When  the issued was raised to a senior police officer, he admitted to the problems of the  woman  traffic police. “The woman traffic police have to face problems because of lack of toilet facility. We are trying to find an alternative.”The officer   blamed  Agartala  Municipal Corporation (PMC) for not providing enough public urinals in the city.

Experts said holding on to nature’s call could be harmful. Gynaecologist Dr Shakti Majumder  said: “The most common problem which can arise by holding on to nature’s call is urinary tract infection. Ladies who suffer from the infection can also have problem during pregnancy,” she said.