38-year-old traffic warden, Rafiq Wazir Shaikh lost his life on the Coastal Road while chasing a tempo driver who was allegedly violating traffic rules on Saturday evening. In the course of the chase, he fell into the sea and died. The incident highlights the risks traffic wardens face, similar to that of traffic police, yet without adequate safety or welfare provisions.
Manoj Darji, who served as a traffic warden for nine years, shared his experience, stating that while wardens perform the same duties as traffic police, they are treated like watchmen when it comes to benefits. “Traffic police are given helmets, masks, caps, water, and other essentials. We get nothing,” he said. “We work in difficult conditions and face the same air pollution and extreme heat as the police.”
Traffic wardens are contractual employees hired to assist the police personnel in regulating vehicular movement. During major public events or festivals, additional wardens are deployed to manage increased traffic. Various government bodies, including the BMC and MMRDA, provide traffic wardens to the police through contractors. After recruitment, they receive basic training before being put on duty.
Wardens typically work 8-hour shifts and are paid a monthly salary of Rs 10,000 to Rs 12,000. However, many wardens claim they do not receive their salaries on time. Despite working in hazardous conditions and playing a crucial role in traffic management, they are denied even basic health and life insurance coverage. In cases of death while on duty, their families are left with no support or compensation.
The recent death of Rafiq Shaikh has reignited the demand for fair treatment, better working conditions, and essential facilities for traffic wardens, whose contributions remain largely unrecognized by the system.
