UP traffic police's uniform goes khaki from 'BSP blue'

In yet another reversal of previous Mayawati government's decision, the Uttar Pradesh government has changed the colour of state traffic police's uniform from blue to khaki.

Blue is considered to be the favourite colour of Bahujan Samaj Party.

"The decision has been taken to change the colour of the traffic cops uniform. Now instead of blue pants, caps, socks, belt -- khakhi colour, which is of police has been introduced. The change will be implemented from July 1," IG, Law and Order BP Singh told mediapersons.

Singh said a committee constituted for the purpose has proposed the change of colour as it resembled that of private security agencies creating confusion.

"Khakhi, which is also colour of police department, has been introduced as it would have similarity with police force," he said.

He said that uniform of traffic inspector/sub inspectors would be same of the state police except for their shirt, which would be white.

The Mayawati government had changed the uniform of traffic police from white to blue from April 1, 2008, stating that the white pants get dirty with pollution.

The SP had protested the move alleging the colour blue was similar to uniform of BSP volunteers.

"It is just a stunt to promote the colour of the ruling BSP government. Now, one can even get confused with the BSP's volunteer force and the traffic police, as both are dressed in blue", Samajwadi Party had then said.