KPTCL Deploys Drones For High Voltage Transmission Maintenance

01 Jul 2026 CW Team

Drones fitted with thermal imaging and LiDAR systems now conduct comprehensive 360 degree surveys of transmission assets in a fraction of the time taken by conventional methods. The enhanced imagery and scanning capability allow engineers to detect small defects that are invisible to the naked eye and to prioritise interventions. Remote sensing reduces the need for prolonged manual inspections on live lines. Inspection data is integrated into asset management systems to inform maintenance planning.

Energy Minister K J George noted that inspecting a vast transmission network spanning nearly 45,000 kilometres through conventional methods is time consuming and that the employment of technology is therefore vital. He described the drone deployment as enabling faster identification of faults and facilitating inspection led intervention across the grid. Achieving an 85 per cent reduction in outages through these measures was characterised by officials as a major milestone. The approach has supported more targeted repairs and improved operational oversight.

The programme is expected to continue expanding to cover additional corridors and to refine analytics for predictive maintenance. Faster inspections have reduced the duration of field campaigns and helped improve service reliability for consumers. The integration of drone inspection workflows with existing maintenance protocols has created efficiencies in scheduling and resource allocation. Officials said the initiative demonstrates how digital tools can enhance grid resilience and safety.

The Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL) has deployed advanced drone technology to inspect high voltage and extra high voltage transmission corridors across the state. The initiative has enabled the inspection of more than 11,000 transmission towers and the identification and rectification of over 0.15 mn technical defects. It has also produced a reported 85 per cent reduction in transmission related power outages. The programme forms part of the utility's broader digital transformation drive. Drones fitted with thermal imaging and LiDAR systems now conduct comprehensive 360 degree surveys of transmission assets in a fraction of the time taken by conventional methods. The enhanced imagery and scanning capability allow engineers to detect small defects that are invisible to the naked eye and to prioritise interventions. Remote sensing reduces the need for prolonged manual inspections on live lines. Inspection data is integrated into asset management systems to inform maintenance planning. Energy Minister K J George noted that inspecting a vast transmission network spanning nearly 45,000 kilometres through conventional methods is time consuming and that the employment of technology is therefore vital. He described the drone deployment as enabling faster identification of faults and facilitating inspection led intervention across the grid. Achieving an 85 per cent reduction in outages through these measures was characterised by officials as a major milestone. The approach has supported more targeted repairs and improved operational oversight. The programme is expected to continue expanding to cover additional corridors and to refine analytics for predictive maintenance. Faster inspections have reduced the duration of field campaigns and helped improve service reliability for consumers. The integration of drone inspection workflows with existing maintenance protocols has created efficiencies in scheduling and resource allocation. Officials said the initiative demonstrates how digital tools can enhance grid resilience and safety.

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