Advanced Drone Technology To Maintain Surveillance Over Crowds At Maha Kumbh Mela

Cyberone Pro drones are equipped to handle multiple tasks essential to maintain security, including capturing high-resolution photos, recording videos and live video streaming.

New Delhi:Ahead of the Maha Kumbh Mela, the railways acquired Indo Wings Cyberone Pro quadcopter drones to keep a hawk-eyed view on a crowd at stations and premises during the mela where it is expected around 30 crore people will visit from across the country and abroad.

Senior officials of North Central Railway informed that these drones will provide a significant advancement in aerial surveillance capabilities, which will enhance surveillance and crowd management capabilities to ensure the safety and security of pilgrims and visitors at the Maha Kumbh Mela.

According to railway officials, the Cyberone Pro drones are equipped to handle multiple tasks essential to maintain security, including capturing high-resolution photos, recording videos, live video streaming, taking screenshots and performing thermal videography. The drones feature a robust 45-minute flight time, a substantial 128GB storage capacity, and operate at a speed of up to 12 m/s.

The official said these Micro UAVs represent a considerable investment of Rs 34,35,075 and come with an extensive warranty of up to 30 months, ensuring comprehensive maintenance and support in the critical months leading up to the Maha Kumbh Mela in 2025.

These drones represent a commitment by the railways to leverage modern technology in support of large-scale events, marking a milestone in public safety preparedness. To optimise the utilisation of these cutting-edge drones, the railway official said that a specialised training session was conducted by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) Zonal Training Centre at Subedarganj last week.

This session successfully trained 28 personnel, including 19 RPF staff and officers from the Prayagraj division, 5 RPF staff and officers from the new division, and four personnel from the Government Railway Police (GRP). The training focused on maximising the operational efficiency of the Cyberone Pro drones for tasks such as surveillance, crowd management and live monitoring during the Maha Kumbh Mela.

Special Trains for Maha Kumbh Mela 2025

Railways to Increase Train Services, Enhance Safety and Coordination

The Indian Railways plans to run around 992 special trains for the Mahakumbh Mela in 2025, an increase from 695 trains in 2019. In addition to these special services, 6,580 regular trains will be operational, up from 5,000 in 2019. The total number of trains, both special and regular, will exceed 3,000 and 1,500, respectively.

Consultation with the Meteorological Department

Railways will consult the Meteorological Department for weather forecasts, particularly regarding fog, before finalising the train schedules for the Maha Kumbh Mela, which will take place during the winter months of January and February 2025.

Computer-Based Electronic Interlocking System

A new computer-based electronic interlocking system is being installed on 825 routes around Prayagraj Junction to ensure precise control over train movements, improving passenger safety and operational efficiency.

Significance of Sacred Rituals

The Maha Kumbh Mela is a significant religious event, with millions of devotees gathering to perform sacred rituals and take a holy dip.