For the first time in the state, 75 women in Surat have been recruited for the city traffic brigade. At present, they are undergoing theoretical and practical training and will be deployed on traffic duty from Gandhi Jayanti, October 2.

As many as 52 women were present in the first phase of the training. The recruited women are all between the age group of 18 and 35 years.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (Traffid) B M Chauhan said: “We have started training them. Both theoretical and practical training are been given to them for the last four days. We are also taking them to different traffic junctions as part of the training. We will deploy them on the job from October 2. The new brigades are giving excellent performance in their training. The second phase of another group will be started in the coming few month.”

Darshna Rathod, who has done MA, B.Ed, said: “My husband works in a textile factory at Pandesara and we stay in a joint family. I tried for jobs at many places in schools and tuition classes but they all demanded donations. We were not much financially sound. I was informed of the recruitment drive and decided to join the service. My in-laws had no objection and they supported me to take care of the children.”

The concept of an alternative force to man traffic was mooted in 2005 by then police commissioner Sudhir Sinha following a severe staff crunch.

More than 150 unemployed youths were selected on a pilot basis and given training about traffic rules and regulation.

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