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Maligaon, April 20 (MExN): In a move to protect railway property from illegal occupation, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) of the Northeast Frontier (N.F.) Railway has adopted drone surveillance and artificial intelligence (AI) technology to monitor and secure railway land across the zone.
As part of the initiative, 45 drone cameras have been procured to enhance aerial surveillance of railway property. In parallel, AI-based software is under development to detect new encroachments, including huts, houses, buildings, and other unauthorized structures, by analyzing real-time data from aerial surveys. The technology is aimed at streamlining enforcement and bolstering preventive action against illegal occupation.
The new surveillance strategy comes in the wake of a large-scale eviction effort carried out earlier this year. During February and March, the RPF successfully vacated 210 railway quarters from illegal occupants. In addition, 27 unauthorized soft structures, four unauthorized shops, and several kutcha constructions were dismantled. The drives were conducted in the New Guwahati and Pandu areas with the coordinated involvement of RPF personnel, engineering and electrical departments, and local police.
Following the success of those operations, the RPF has launched “Mission 250+” — an ambitious follow-up aimed at clearing more than 250 illegally occupied quarters in the New Guwahati Railway Colony. The mission seeks to restore the area to its original function as staff accommodation and to ensure the optimal use of railway assets.
To deter future encroachments and encourage authorized occupancy, the N.F. Railway has proposed multiple redevelopment measures. These include merging existing Type-I quarters into more spacious Type-II units, installing protective fencing around housing blocks, and creating walking tracks and small parks to improve livability and promote a healthier lifestyle within the colony.
Officials said the integrated use of technology and infrastructure redevelopment is expected to not only secure railway assets but also improve employee welfare and the overall environment of railway colonies.
