An aerial shot of the railway tracks taken by a drone in Tiruchi Division. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The Railway Protection Force (RPF) of Tiruchi Division has begun to deploy drones as a technological tool to enhance surveillance and security over railway tracks in view of rising number of instances of throwing stones on trains and also cattle run-overs.
Two advanced drones equipped with night vision have been procured to monitor large areas and vulnerable locations falling within the division to detect any suspicious activity and initiate appropriate action. A team of eight field-level RPF personnel in the rank of constable and head constable have been trained in the operation and maintenance of drones which were introduced a few days ago, said RPF sources. These personnel have received drone pilot licences.
The drones are fixed with cameras with a speaker mounted on them. The gadgets can cover a range of 5 km from the spot from where they are launched. Following its deployment in the division, the drones have been flown by the RPF personnel in places such as Thanjavur, Villupuram, Srirangam, and Ponmalai, especially in the vicinity of the railway tracks. Aerial shots of these locations have been taken using the gadgets.
“The drone will act as a force multiplier aiding RPF security personnel in covering large areas and vulnerable spots in an effort to strengthen surveillance and security over railway tracks and railway assets”, said the sources. In addition to safeguarding railway property and passenger areas at stations and its circulating areas, the RPF is vested with the responsibility of on board escort in express trains besides being empowered to enquire and launch prosecution against persons committing offences under the Railways Act.
“This is for the first time that drones are being introduced by the RPF of Tiruchi Division to step up surveillance and security”, the sources said. They were deployed especially in areas where throwing of stones on trains, placing of stones or any other unauthorised objects on the railway tracks have been reported and amid rising number of instances of cattle run overs.
Data compiled by the RPF reveal that there were 39 cases of throwing of stones on trains were registered in 2025 (from January to December) and 12 cases booked so far in 2026 in Tiruchi Division. The division has 12 RPF posts and five outposts in its vast jurisdiction covering over 10 revenue districts.
The RPF has identified several vulnerable locations where stone throwing has been reported. Among these locations are Pullambadi, Puducherry-Chinna Babusamudram, near Tiruverumbur station, Sirkazhi-Chidambaram and Vriddhachalam-Talanallur stretches. Similarly, 53 instances of cattle run overs were reported in Tiruchi Division in 2025 and 91 in 2026. Sources said the RPF has been consistently carrying out awareness campaigns at various places within the division sensitising the general public to a host of safety-related measures for safe train operations.
Published - July 13, 2026 06:28 pm IST