How Dr. Shubha V Iyengar's Drishti System Saves Flights in Delhi's Fog
Delhi has been enveloped in dense fog recently, creating extremely low visibility conditions that often bring traffic to a standstill during harsh winter months. Amid these challenging circumstances, a critical question arises: how do aircraft manage to execute safe landings when visibility is nearly negligible? The answer lies not in magic, but in decades of dedicated work by an unsung hero—Dr. Shubha V Iyengar, whose contributions to aerospace technology earned her a Padma Shri award.
Dr. Shubha's Drishti: India's Homegrown Runway Visibility System
Drishti, India's first indigenously developed runway visibility system, stands as Dr. Shubha's crowning achievement. In collaboration with the Indian Meteorological Department, she engineered a device capable of measuring visibility down to four meters. Prior to Drishti, Indian airports depended on costly runway visibility instruments imported from countries like Finland and Australia, which were frequently plagued by maintenance issues. Dr. Shubha's innovative version, however, was produced at just one-third of the cost and utilized locally sourced components for swift repairs.
Deployed by 2014 at key airports in Delhi, Kolkata, and Lucknow, Drishti has proven to be a life-saving tool, particularly during Delhi's severe fog seasons. By ensuring accurate visibility readings, it has safeguarded numerous flights and lives, transforming aviation safety in India.
Who is Dr. Shubha V Iyengar?
Dr. Shubha V Iyengar, aged 71, is a former distinguished scientist from CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) in Bengaluru. As the youngest of nine siblings, she excelled academically, topping her BSc and MSc at Central College before earning a PhD. Encouraged by her father to pursue science at a time when few women entered the field, she joined NAL in 1974 and devoted over 40 years to advancing aviation technology. Even after retiring, she continues to offer her expertise as an advisor. Her Padma Shri award honors a lifetime of quiet, impactful service to India's aviation sector.
Her Career in Aerospace Innovation
At NAL, Dr. Shubha tackled some of aviation's most pressing challenges, such as fog, smog, and rain obstructing runway visibility during critical takeoffs and landings. She led interdisciplinary teams on science and engineering projects, with a strong emphasis on achieving self-reliance. Her work effectively bridged the gap between laboratory research and real-world airport applications, significantly reducing India's dependence on foreign technology. Post-retirement, her knowledge continues to guide various institutions, underscoring her enduring legacy in the field.
Why is Drishti So Important?
Drishti functions as the runway's eyes during adverse weather conditions like fog, rain, or dust storms. It continuously monitors how far pilots can actually see along the runway, with readings ranging from 25 meters in thick fog to over 2,000 meters on clear days. By employing a light beam between two points, it provides air traffic control with real-time data, enabling precise assessments of landing and takeoff safety.
According to reports, Drishti is specifically designed to handle India's unpredictable weather patterns, capturing sudden visibility drops at dawn and dusk when accident risks are higher. For instance, Delhi airport operates 10 units across its runways, replacing expensive imports with affordable, locally maintainable technology that ensures flights proceed safely.
Budget-Friendly and Reliable
The cost efficiency of Drishti has allowed more airports to access advanced technology, thereby cutting dependency on foreign vendors. Dr. Shubha's system reliably performs under extreme weather conditions, enhancing the resilience of Indian aviation. This affordability and durability make it a cornerstone of modern airport infrastructure in India, supporting safer skies for all.
