Context:
To strengthen market surveillance and public safety during the festive season, Delhi Police has deployed women constables trained in drone operations for real-time monitoring and rapid response under the initiative ‘Netra Nari’.
Key Highlights / Details
Women-led Drone Surveillance Initiative
- Four women constables from different police stations in West Delhi were selected.
- Completed 10-day drone training at Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women.
- Training covered:
- Drone handling & aerial monitoring
- Real-time feed transmission
- Crowd surveillance & data analysis
- Field deployment techniques
Operational Deployment
- Deployed in high-footfall areas: Rajouri Garden, Tilak Nagar, Moti Nagar, Kirti Nagar.
- Equipped with high-resolution drones having:
- Night vision
- AI-based target tracking
- Zoom capabilities
- Crowd density monitoring
- Emergency alert relay
- Live visuals shared with police control rooms for real-time action.
- Helps in tracking suspicious movement, pickpocketing, molestation incidents, abandoned objects, and crowd stampede risks.
Significance
- Enhances women’s participation in policing technology.
- Reduces response time during emergencies.
- Supports predictive policing through surveillance technology.
- Improves public area security during festivals.
Relevant Prelims Points
- Predictive Policing – Use of AI and digital tools to anticipate crime trends.
- Drone Rules 2021 – Liberalized drone policy removing many permissions.
- Categories of Drones in India: Nano, Micro, Small, Medium, Large.
Relevant Mains Points
Issues Addressed
- Urban security challenges.
- Gender inclusion in policing.
- Technology adoption in law enforcement.
Challenges
- Need for drone data privacy protocols.
- Risk of technical failure in crowded areas.
- Cybersecurity of drone communication channels.
Way Forward
- Expand Netra Nari to pan-India level.
- Introduce certified drone wings in all police districts.
- Frame standard SOPs for drone-based surveillance.
- Integrate drones with CCTNS and Safe City Projects.