East Coast Railway to Double Drone Fleet to 22 by March 2027

Bhubaneswar: East Coast Railway (ECoR) is expanding its technology-driven security network, with plans to increase its drone fleet from the existing 11 to 22 by March 2027 to strengthen passenger safety, monitor vulnerable railway sections and protect railway assets.

ECoR is currently leading Indian Railways in drone-based surveillance through its initiative, “DROAWK EYE – Observation, Detection, Prevention.” The system supports the Railway Protection Force (RPF) in detecting suspicious activities, preventing offences, managing crowds and monitoring sensitive railway locations.

The existing fleet comprises four drones in Khurda Road Division, six in Sambalpur Division and one in Rayagada Division. The operations are supported by 160 Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)-certified drone pilots. The surveillance network covers 284 stations, 2,708 route kilometres and 6,072 track kilometres across 31 RPF posts.

Between January 1 and September 15, 2026, ECoR’s RPF conducted 3,033 drone sorties. Sambalpur Division recorded 1,329 sorties, followed by Rayagada with 1,024 and Khurda Road with 680. Of the total sorties, 1,265 were classified as RED-coded operations, focusing on critical security activities such as preventing sabotage and stone pelting, detecting cable theft and monitoring fire safety.

Equipped with night-vision and thermal cameras, the drones are particularly useful for surveillance in forests, hilly terrain, tunnels, bridges and isolated railway stretches. These include sections of the Koraput–Rayagada–Kirandul line, where difficult terrain can pose challenges for conventional security monitoring.

The drones are also used to monitor railway stations, coaching yards and vital installations, detect trespassing, theft and encroachment, and assist in investigations and disaster response. Live surveillance and audio warnings help discourage unauthorised track crossing and stone pelting.

Drone technology has also supported crowd management during Rath Yatra 2026 in Puri. Its applications extend to women’s safety under the Meri Saheli initiative, cleanliness drives, environmental protection and the monitoring of vulnerable railway assets.

According to ECoR, a single drone team can effectively monitor approximately eight to 10 kilometres, allowing security personnel to cover larger areas and deploy resources more efficiently.

With the planned expansion of its drone fleet to 22 by March 2027, East Coast Railway aims to widen surveillance coverage and strengthen security arrangements across its network. The initiative reflects the growing role of technology in railway policing, with a focus on preventing offences, safeguarding infrastructure and improving passenger safety.