The government has granted permission to the Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) to use drones for aerial surveillance of its pipelines.
This follows the use of drones for similar purposes by the Indian Railways and the National Highways Authority of India.
“As line patrolling is extremely difficult for pipeline sections passing through forests, rivers, environmentally sensitive areas and other inaccessible areas, GAIL (India) Limited has awarded an order for aerial surveillance of 200 kilometres for the Hazira Vijaipur Jagdishpur /Dahej Vijaipur pipelines with drones as a pilot project,” Minister of State (independent charge) of Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan told Parliament.
“Surveillance of a vast network of pipelines across the country is required to ensure the safety and reliability of pipelines and guard against sabotage, exposure, soil erosion, excavation and construction works,” Mr. Pradhan said.
“Currently, it is being achieved through regular, periodic, foot-patrolling and air surveillance by hiring helicopter services on a monthly basis.”
The drones will carry out surveillance using high-resolution and infrared cameras.
NHAI signed a pact with the Indian Space Research Organization's National Remote Sensing Centre and the North East Centre for Technology Application and Research for the use of UAVs to aid in surveillance of construction work.Separately, the Indian Railways has used drones to monitor the progress on the Dedicated Freight Corridor.
