Bengaluru's Namma Metro to Deploy AI Drones for Pillar Damage Detection

16 Jan 2025 CW Team

The AI technology will not only identify defects on the tracks but also assess their potential impact and notify BMRCL's engineering team.

Sumit Bhatnagar, Director of Operations and Maintenance at Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRCL), shared with the publication that Namma Metro plans to invite bids for AI-drone inspections of Reach 1 (MG Road – Byappanahalli), the city's first operational metro corridor, which was launched in 2011. He explained that the AI-driven systems would evaluate the extent of any structural damage and send alerts, allowing engineers to take timely maintenance actions.

The AI technology will detect defects and analyse their potential impact, notifying BMRCL's engineering team. Bhatnagar further added that the AI-powered evaluations would determine if the identified issues pose significant risks and recommend appropriate solutions, such as epoxy sealing or other repairs.

This technological upgrade is expected to reduce operational costs and increase the efficiency of BMRCL's engineering division. Currently, structural inspections are carried out manually with the use of binoculars, cameras, and hydraulic platforms. The introduction of drones and AI will minimize manual labour, enhance precision, and speed up infrastructure assessments.

In a related development, Bengaluru's traffic police have already adopted drone technology to monitor traffic flow across the city. Drones have been deployed at high-traffic areas such as Hebbal, Central Silk Board, Ibballur, Marathahalli, KR Puram, Guruguntapalya, Sarakki, and Banshankari bus stand to oversee congestion, particularly during peak hours.

Bengaluru is set to deploy drones to improve the safety monitoring of concrete metro pillars and viaducts along metro tracks. The drones, equipped with Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, will capture images to detect cracks and structural damages. The AI technology will not only identify defects on the tracks but also assess their potential impact and notify BMRCL's engineering team. Sumit Bhatnagar, Director of Operations and Maintenance at Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRCL), shared with the publication that Namma Metro plans to invite bids for AI-drone inspections of Reach 1 (MG Road – Byappanahalli), the city's first operational metro corridor, which was launched in 2011. He explained that the AI-driven systems would evaluate the extent of any structural damage and send alerts, allowing engineers to take timely maintenance actions. The AI technology will detect defects and analyse their potential impact, notifying BMRCL's engineering team. Bhatnagar further added that the AI-powered evaluations would determine if the identified issues pose significant risks and recommend appropriate solutions, such as epoxy sealing or other repairs. This technological upgrade is expected to reduce operational costs and increase the efficiency of BMRCL's engineering division. Currently, structural inspections are carried out manually with the use of binoculars, cameras, and hydraulic platforms. The introduction of drones and AI will minimize manual labour, enhance precision, and speed up infrastructure assessments. In a related development, Bengaluru's traffic police have already adopted drone technology to monitor traffic flow across the city. Drones have been deployed at high-traffic areas such as Hebbal, Central Silk Board, Ibballur, Marathahalli, KR Puram, Guruguntapalya, Sarakki, and Banshankari bus stand to oversee congestion, particularly during peak hours.

Infrastructure Urban

23 May 2025

CRCL, IIT Delhi Sign MoU to Boost Science and Ease of Business

The Central Revenues Control Laboratory (CRCL), Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) toward trade facilitation and improving the ease of doing business. This MoU collaboration aims to foster R&D, innovation, and scientific excellence at CRCL, bolstering trade facilitation and regulatory efficiency.The MoU was signed by Prof. Rangan Banerjee, Director, IIT Delhi, and Shri V. Suresh, Director, CRCL, in presence of Shri Surjit Bhujabal, Speci..

Infrastructure Urban

23 May 2025

CAQM Sub-Committee Activates 27-Point Plan to Improve NCR Air Quality

The daily average AQI of Delhi has been hovering marginally above 200 threshold with forecast of slight improvement since last two days. Today, Delhi’s daily average Air Quality Index (AQI) clocked 213 (‘Poor’ category), as per the daily AQI Bulletin provided by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), owing to variable winds. In wake of the average/ overall air quality of Delhi recording ‘Poor’ air quality category ranging between 201-300, the CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP met today to take stock of the current air quality scenario of Delhi-NCR. While comprehensively reviewing the a..

Infrastructure Urban

23 May 2025

DoT Launches Financial Fraud Risk Indicator to Boost Cybersecurity

In a major step towards combating cyber fraud and financial crime, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has announced sharing of “Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI)” with stakeholders- an output from a multi- dimensional analytical tool developed as part of the Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) to empower financial institutions with advance actionable intelligence for cyber fraud prevention. This will enhance cyber protection and validation checks in case of mobile numbers flagged with this tool when digital payment is proposed to be made to such numbers.What is the “Financial ..

Bengaluru's Namma Metro to Deploy AI Drones for Pillar Damage Detection

CRCL, IIT Delhi Sign MoU to Boost Science and Ease of Business

CAQM Sub-Committee Activates 27-Point Plan to Improve NCR Air Quality

DoT Launches Financial Fraud Risk Indicator to Boost Cybersecurity

Latest Updates

Advertisement

Recommended for you

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Modal Heading

First Name *

Last Name *

Industry *

Email Address *

Mobile Number *

Password *

Confirm Password *

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Email Address *

Password *

Please enter the details

Email Address

Modal Heading

First Name *

Last Name *

Industry *

Email Address *

Mobile Number *

Password *

Confirm Password *

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Email Address *

Password *

Please enter the details

Email Address