Railways to use drone cameras to monitor tracks

NEW DELHI: To ensure safety of train operations, the Indian Railways has decided to use drone cameras to maintain tracks and keep an eye on various activities, including project monitoring.

The West Central Railway became the first zonal railway to procure the cameras.

“Under this initiative, West Central Railways with headquarter at Jabalpur (MP) has procured drone cameras. They have already done a trial-run of those cameras last week on its all the three divisions — Jabalpur Division — Narmada Bridge near Bhitoni, Bhopal Division —Nishatpura Yard and Third Line work between Bhopal– Misrod and Kota Division — Chambal Bridge near Kota and Dakania Talav Yard near Kota,” a press release read.

The public transport behemoth has given directions to zonal railways to procure such cameras.

“This is in line with the 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 different works, crowd management during fairs and melas, to identify scrap and also for aerial survey of station yards. It is going to be instrumental in providing real time inputs related to safety and maintenance of tracks and other railway infrastructure,” the release stated.

The West Central Railway further plans to use drones for project monitoring in the third line work of Bina-katni, doubling work in Katni-singrouli (construction of a parallel line with the existing one), important bridge inspections and monsoon preparedness in deepcutting portions of Ghat Sections of Bhopal and Jabalpur divisions.