Transgender traffic police get green light in Indian state of Telangana

The government has proposed giving these transgender traffic wardens a stipend, but the details are still being worked out. As one of the most marginalized groups in a largely conservative society, transgender people are often forced to support themselves by begging at traffic lights or asking motorists for money.

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has directed top traffic authorities to gauge the willingness of the transgender community to take up this role, seeing it as a dual solution for employment and traffic regulation.

“It is the best example of creative and lateral thinking in governance,” the minister’s office said in a statement, highlighting the potential for impactful change.

The plan involves training around 3,000 transgenders for 10 days, equipping them with specially designed uniforms. In the coming months, around 1,000 transgenders will be deployed in the state capital Hyderabad, though they are expected to work as contract workers with limited authority to penalize traffic violations.