Remote-Controlled Lifebuoy Water Drone Deployed At Gangasagar Mela For Enhanced Safety

Preparations for the Gangasagar Mela are in full swing. This year, the administration has deployed a remote-controlled lifebuoy water drone at the mela site for the first time to strengthen water safety arrangements. The drone has an operational range of up to 1 kilometre.

The water drone functions as a versatile, remotely operated platform designed for inspection, monitoring, and rescue operations in water bodies. It plays a critical role in search and rescue by locating victims and delivering immediate assistance, while reducing risks to human rescuers.

In the event of drowning at Gangasagar, the drone can quickly detect the victim’s location and assist in rescue operations. With a massive influx of pilgrims expected during Makar Sankranti,

the administration has made comprehensive arrangements to manage the crowd and ensure safety.

Speaking to News18, South 24 Parganas District Magistrate Arvind Meena said, “All necessary arrangements have been made to ensure the mela is conducted smoothly. The water drone will assist us in several critical aspects of water safety, which is why we have introduced it this year. It can rescue people from the water and achieves a maximum speed of 7 metres per second, allowing it to reach victims much faster than a human swimmer.”

The water drone is equipped with several advanced features, including:

• Auto-righting capability: An exclusive feature that allows the drone to recover from capsising within two seconds, ensuring uninterrupted operation even in rough water conditions.
• Real-time video feedback: A built-in 1080p HD camera transmits live footage to the remote controller screen, enabling precise navigation and situational monitoring.
• High towing capacity: The drone can tow up to 1,000 kilograms, making it capable of assisting multiple survivors or life rafts simultaneously.
• Auto-return system: Using GPS navigation, the drone automatically returns to its launch point if the signal is lost or the battery level drops below 15 percent.
• Durable and safe design: Constructed from high-density, impact-resistant LLDPE polymer, with enclosed propellers to prevent injuries and ensure safety for distressed individuals holding onto it.

The Gangasagar Mela will begin on January 10 and continue until January 17. The holy dip is scheduled for January 14 and 15.