STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: In first, the State Government is set to use drones as a pilot project for better flood management. To begin with, the Government is going to procure five drones – two big and three small ones.
The very purpose of the pilot project is a proper assessment of floods through aerial surveillance, erosion in riparian areas, dropping of essential commodities for flood-affected people during emergencies, etc.
On behalf of the State Government, the ASDMA (Assam State Disaster Management Authority) is taking the initiative for the pilot project. It has already sent a proposal to this effect to the State Revenue and Disaster Management (R&DM) Department for sanction. According to sources, the R&DM Department will give its nod to the proposal within a day or two.
The Government is not going to procure the drones from any private parties. The NESAC (North Eastern Space Application Centre), an agency of the Government of India located at Shillong, is going to provide the five drones. The NESAC will also impart drone-operation training to the personnel of the ASDMA that will have a separate drone cell.
According to ASDMA sources, if the pilot project scripts a success story it will procure more drones in consultation with the government.