Curation Team
NAGPUR: State govt has decided to deploy drones for inspection of bridges, flooded areas, map land holding and even monitor progress of high-value projects, as an effort to not only prevent disasters but also increase accountability. The new public works department (PWD) policy, introduced on April 1, will ensure that bridges are inspected both pre and post monsoons, giving govt a chance to take timely action and prevent disaster.
The pre-monsoon inspection aims to ensure safety and structural integrity, particularly in areas prone to wear and tear from heavy rains. The state has made a case for drones citing that it’s a “safe, efficient, and accurate way” to assess hard-to-reach locations.
Beyond bridges, the policy extends to highrises (buildings taller than 18 meters), where external and roof inspections will be done using drone technology. The move is expected to streamline assessments of aging urban infrastructure, reducing risks to human inspectors and cutting down on time and costs.
The circular doesn’t stop at inspections. For large-scale projects exceeding Rs 100 crore, drones will monitor construction progress, with periodic reports submitted to ensure transparency and accountability. Additionally, flood damage assessments during monsoons — such as landslides, washed-away bridges, or submerged roads — will rely on drones to survey areas too dangerous for ground teams to reach.
The policy also integrates drones into land-related processes. Topographical surveys for land parcels over 10 acres, land acquisition imaging (for land acquisition) and the creation of a land bank of vacant govt plots will all utilize drone technology.
To support this ambitious rollout, regional executive engineers are tasked with securing necessary permissions, while funding will be drawn from existing budget heads like repairs and surveys. Chief engineers will hold approval authority, ensuring smooth implementation.
With the implementation of drones in all these areas, govt will start creating a database which will be considered more accurate and can be updated without risking human life in hard-to-access places. The department intends to study this database to refine and expand the policy in the future. As Maharashtra sets this precedent, experts believe it could inspire similar innovations nationwide, blending technology with public safety and infrastructure resilience.
Airborne Utility
* Drones are being used in multiple sectors
* Drones can access hard-to-reach areas thus preventing risk to human life
* Drones are being used in defence sector, mostly has UAVs
* Drones are also being used in fire services to access high rises and dangerous places
* Being used for photography and movie production
