Nashik police introduce new dress code for traffic wardens to prevent confusion

Nashik: The Nashik police have directed contractors, managing various road projects in the city, to change the uniform of traffic wardens that have been deployed to manage vehicular flow.

Previously, the wardens hired by these contractors wore uniforms that closely resembled those of official traffic police. Accordingly, senior officials from the city traffic branch have instructed contractors to replace the wardens’ khaki trousers with blue ones.

With extensive road construction underway across Nashik in preparation for the Simhastha Kumbh Mela, the police have tasked contractors with appointing traffic wardens, subject to final police approval.

Unlike police officers, the role of traffic wardens is limited to streamlining traffic and directing motorists toward detours to prevent congestion at construction sites.

“The contractors of the road works have been formally instructed to change the dress code of the traffic wardens so they are not mistaken for police personnel,” ACP (Traffic) Advita Shinde said.

The uniform overlap had also created a public perception issue. Amid traffic violations, such as wrong-side driving, triple-riding on two-wheelers, and autorickshaw drivers overloading front seats, motorists mistaking wardens for actual police officers often felt that the authorities were turning a blind eye to blatant violations in front of them.

While the road infrastructure projects are currently operating in full swing, most of the work is expected to be completed by March next year. This is well ahead of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela Amrit Snans (holy baths), which are scheduled to take place between July and Sept 2027.