Railways to deploy drones over Delhi stations

Northern Railway zone has acquired at least two drones to keep a watch on rail properties and railway stations in Delhi.

New Delhi: Authorities have decided to deploy surveillance drones over railway stations in Delhi to increase security, reports say.

Two Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) have been procured by the Northern Railways to keep a watch over railway stations and other rail facilities including yards and workshops.

The drones will also be used to monitor crowds on foot overbridges and platforms during festival season. It will also be used to check the criminal and anti-social elements including gambling, throwing of garbage and hawking on railway platforms.

"The arrival of drones will help the Railway Protection Force to monitor the station as well as the track. This will also provide support to keep an eye on the criminals. A team of Railway Protection Force (RPF) from the railway’s cyber modernisation cell have been trained for flying the drones. Railway stations in Mumbai have already got the permission and now Delhi will get this facility," a senior official said.

Notably, the Railway Protection Force of New Delhi earlier demanded drones for the special occasions to ensure security at stations like Old Delhi, Anand Vihar Nizamuddin and Delhi Shahdara.