Roundtable: 28% of Bengaluru's Traffic Police and 45% of Pourakarmikas Show Reduced Lung Function

Findings from screening 11,000+ frontline workers in Bengaluru, presented at the roundtable 'Protecting Those Who Protect Our City': reduced lung function in 28% of traffic police, 29.5% of BMTC personnel, 45% of Pourakarmikas and 15% of construction workers.

Roundtable held in Bengaluru, October 2026. Vaayu Chest & Sleep Specialists. Published 11 November 2026.

VAAYU Chest & Sleep Specialists and the VAAYU Respiratory Foundation convened the roundtable “Protecting Those Who Protect Our City” at Samagata, Church Street, Bengaluru, in October 2026. It brought together healthcare professionals, researchers, public-health experts, policy practitioners, civic representatives and philanthropic organisations to discuss what air pollution is doing to the people who work outdoors in the city every day.

What the screening found

Dr Ravindra Mehta, Founder and Medical Director of VAAYU Chest & Sleep Specialists, presented findings from the occupational screening programme (VORIC, also written VOERIC), which has screened more than 11,000 frontline workers in Bengaluru since November 2023. Reduced lung function was found in:

45% of Pourakarmikas (municipal sanitation workers)
29.5% of BMTC bus personnel
28% of traffic police personnel
15% of construction workers

Higher rates of diabetes, uncontrolled blood pressure and overweight or obesity were also seen across these occupational groups. Further longitudinal research is needed to track how lung function changes over time, and a cohort study with government support is planned.

Who took part

Dr Ravindra Mehta, Founder and Medical Director, VAAYU Chest & Sleep Specialists, presented the screening findings.
Mr Srinivas Alavilli, Fellow, Integrated Transport and Road Safety, WRI India, and Trustee, VAAYU Respiratory Foundation, moderated the discussion.
Dr C. N. Manjunath and Dr Vivek Jawali discussed the cardiovascular effects of air pollution.
Dr K. Satish compared the harms of air pollution with those of tobacco exposure.
Dr Gufran Beig discussed drone-based vertical air-quality profiling.

What the roundtable called for

Regular occupational health screening and follow-up care for workers with high exposure.
Bringing clinical, occupational and environmental exposure data together to study long-term health outcomes.
Longitudinal research on changes in lung function and related risks.
Partnerships among government departments, research institutions, healthcare providers, industry and philanthropic organisations.
Using scientifically validated evidence to shape workplace health programmes, preventive measures and policy.
Awareness and action as the two priorities: prevention, community engagement and stronger workplace protection.

How the screening is done

The programme follows the STEM model: Screen, Test, Educate, Medicate. Camps are taken to bus depots, construction sites and other workplaces, and include spirometry, Forced Oscillation Technique (FOT), chest X-rays, specialist consultation, initial treatment and health education, free of cost to the worker.

Press coverage and sources

Vaayu Chest & Sleep Specialists

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