Indian Railways will use drones to not only track the progress of its track-laying projects, but to assist in rescue missions during train accidents as well
The Indian Railways will now use drones to track the progress of its track-laying projects.
In what is a first, the Indian Railways has announced its decision to employ the use of drones to monitor and track the progress of its track-laying projects across the country. The use of these small, unmanned aircrafts is in keeping with the Digital India initiative and was announced by the Railway Minister, Suresh Prabhu in his budget presentation in February, 2016.
At present, the drones are being used to monitor the Dedicated Freight Corridor projects currently underway in Rajasthan and Bihar. A private operator has been contracted to implement the project.
Image for representation only. Source: Rail News; Honest Drones
DFC Managing Director Adesh Sharma told PTI “We used a drone to ascertain the progress on the 42km long track between Baghega to Srimadhopur in Rajasthan in the Western DFC and also the 56km long line between Durgawati and Sasaram in Bihar. It becomes easier and faster to prepare the status report of an ongoing project through drone. Field work can be monitored from the office using the drone footage”
The drones will also assist in rescue missions during train accidents, by conducting aerial surveys.
This move follows the launch of high-speed Wi-Fi internet service in Bhubaneswar by RailTel, the telecom arm of the Indian Railways on the 18th of April.
Featured image for representation only. Soource: Rail News; Honest Drones
Like this story? Or have something to share? Write to us: contact@thebetterindia.com, or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter (@thebetterindia).
