Chennai gets India’s first Police Drone Unit

Greater Chennai Police, in India, established a ‘Drone Police Unit’ to assist cops in aerial surveillance. This is going to help in case of large gatherings, real-time checking of vehicle registration data, and spotting of suspects.

The project costs approximately Rs 3.6 crore, according to a press release by the GCP. The project was inaugurated by outgoing Tamil Nadu Director General of Police (DGP) C Sylendra Babu, in the presence of Chennai Police Commissioner Shankar Jiwal at Besant Avenue, Adyar.

A total of nine drones under three categories are available in this unit: Quick Response Surveillance Drones (6), Heavy Lift Multirotor Drone (1), and Long Range Survey Wing Place (2). These all drones are equipped with built-in artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities and can be operated up to a distance of 5-10 km from the ground station.

Heavy Lift Drone, equipped with thermal cameras, is capable of detecting and rescuing people caught in sea waves by deploying life jackets, even during the night, according to the press release.