In a significant technological upgrade to safety measures, the South 24 Parganas district administration will deploy a remote-controlled lifebuoy, commonly known as a water drone, for the first time at the Gangasagar Mela in 2026. This initiative marks a historic step in enhancing rescue operations at the massive annual pilgrimage, which begins this Thursday.
Advanced Features of the Rescue Drone
The water drone is a self-propelled flotation device designed to identify a person in distress and reach them swiftly using a GPS navigation system. A senior official from the South 24 Parganas administration confirmed that this is the inaugural use of such a device at the Gangasagar Mela, with drills currently being conducted to ensure operational readiness.
The device boasts an impressive operational range of 1 kilometre and can achieve a top speed of 7 metres per second. This capability allows it to reach a target in the water far more quickly than a human swimmer could. Furthermore, the drone has a substantial towing capacity of up to 1,000 kilograms, enabling it to assist multiple survivors or pull life rafts to safety during emergencies.
Ensuring Reliability in Rough Conditions
One of the standout features of this water drone is its auto-righting capability. An official explained that the device can recover from being flipped over in just two seconds, ensuring continuous operation even in challenging, rough water conditions. This reliability is crucial for the unpredictable river and sea confluence at Sagar Island.
The advanced remote controller is equipped with a screen that displays a 1080p HD video feed from an onboard camera. This gives rescuers a clear, real-time view, aiding in precise navigation and assessment of the situation. For added safety, the drone uses GPS for navigation and is programmed to automatically return to its launch point if it loses signal or if the battery level drops below 15%.
A New Era of Pilgrim Safety
The deployment of this water drone technology represents a proactive move by the district administration to leverage innovation for public safety. The Gangasagar Mela, one of the world's largest human congregations, presents unique challenges for disaster management and rescue teams. Integrating this high-tech, fast-response tool is expected to significantly bolster the existing lifesaving infrastructure, offering a faster and more efficient response to water-related emergencies during the mela.
