Indian Railways decides to deploy ” Drone” cameras in all zones

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : Indian Railways has decided to deploy “Drone” cameras (UAV/NETRA) for various railway activities especially project monitoring and maintenance of tracks and other railway infrastructure. It has given directions to Zonal Railways to procure such cameras. This is in-line with Railways’ desire to use technology to enhance safety and efficiency in train operations.

“Drone” cameras shall be deployed to undertake monitoring activities of relief and rescue operation, project monitoring, progress of important works, conditions of track and inspection related activities. It shall also be used to assess preparedness of Non-Interlocking (NI) works, crowd management during fairs and melas, to identify scrap and also for aerial survey of station yards, according to a PIB release. It is going to be instrumental in providing real time inputs related to safety and maintenance of tracks and other railway infrastructure.

West Central Railways (WCR)  with headquarter at Jabalpur (MP) has become the first Zonal Railway to procure “Drone” cameras in Indian Railways. West Central Railways did a trial run of those cameras last week under all its three divisions in the following locations-Jabalpur Division – Narmada Bridge near Bhitoni, Bhopal Division – (i) Nishatpura Yard and (ii) Third Line work between HBJ – Misrod, and Kota Division – (i) Chambal Bridge near Kota and (ii) Dakania Talav Yard near Kota.

WCR further plans to use Drone for project monitoring in 3^rd line work of Bina-Katni, Doubling work in Katni-Singrouli, and important bridge inspections. Earlier, demonstration of “Drone” camera was done for project monitoring of Railway Electrification work of Jabalpur Yard.