Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : Drone surveillance technology has emerged as an important and cost effective tool for security surveillance over large areas with limited manpower. Mumbai Division of Central Railway in Indian Railways has recently procured two Ninja UAVs for better security and surveillance in Railway areas like station premises, Railway track sections, yards, workshops, etc.
A team of four staff of Railway Protection Force (RPF), Mumbai, has been trained in drone flying, surveillance and maintenance. These drones are capable of Real Time Tracking, Video Streaming and may be operated on Automatic Fail Safe Mode, according to a PIB release.
Railway Protection Force (RPF) has planned extensive use of drones for the purpose of Railway security. Nine drones have been procured by RPF so far at a cost of Rs. 31.87 lakh at South Eastern Railway, Central Railway, Modern Coaching Factory, Raebareli, and South Western Railway.
It is further proposed to procure 17 more drones in future at a cost of Rs. 97.52 Lakh. Nineteen RPF personnel have so far been trained in operation and maintenance of drones of which 4 have received licenses for flying drones. Six more RPF personnel are being trained.
The purpose of the drone deployment is to provide a force multiplier and aid to the effectiveness of the security personnel deployed. It can help in inspection of Railway assets and safety of Yards, Workshops, car sheds etc. It can be used to launch surveillance on criminal and anti-social activities like gambling, throwing of garbage, hawking etc on Railway premises. It may be deployed for data collection. Analysis of such data collected may prove to be extremely useful in vulnerable sections for safe operations of trains.
The drone may be pressed in service at disaster sites for helping in rescue, recovery and restoration, and coordinating of efforts of various agencies. It is very useful while undertaking mapping of railway asset to assess the encroachments on railway property. Drones were used to enforce lockdown and monitor the movement of migrants.
A drone camera can cover large area which requires 8-10 RPF personnel. Thus, it may lead to substantial improvement in utilisation of scarce manpower. Drone beats have been designed based on railway asset, sensitivity of area, and activity of criminals etc. Drone acts as an “EYE IN THE SKY” and monitors the whole area. Any suspicious activity if noticed is intimated to the nearest RPF post of division to apprehend the criminal. One such criminal was apprehended on a real time basis in Wadibunder Yard area while he was trying to commit theft inside railway coach stationed in the yard.