New Delhi: The Indian Oil Corporation (IOC ) is all set to use drones to ensure the theft free implementation of various pipeline projects across the country.
A spokesperson with IPC said the Civil Aviation Ministry has cleared decks for the move and it will be done in a first in Delhi-Panipat pipeline project.
"The IPC wrote to aviation ministry last month to allow the remote piloted aircraft system (RPAS) or the drones to prevent oil theft and to ensure the safety of works," sources with IOC said.
The IOC has also decided to extend to aerial surveillance in various pipeline projects including Paradip-Hyderabad, Paradip- Hadia and Ennore-Thoothukkudi in Tamil Nadu.
The IOC was asked to get clearance from the Home, Defence, Indian Air Force (IAF), state governments and their local bodies to operate drones for aerial surveillance works.
When asked about the project cost for making drones to monitor these works, officers said that will be utilised from the already allocated funds for the pipeline project cost.
"There will not be any special additional fund for this drone project, IOC will pump the money from the existing budget allocated for the specific pipeline project. As the DGCA had allowed to do this surveillance only in the day time, we hope the budget will not go high," the officer added.
After examining this in Delhi-Panipat stretch of Mathura to Jalandhar pipeline network, it will gradually be extended in other works too according to the sources.
Also Read: ED questions Congress leader Ahmed Patel for 4th time in PMLA case
