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Uttar Pradesh GRP to deploy six surveillance drones to boost rail security
The Uttar Pradesh Government Railway Police plans to procure six UAV surveillance drones, one for each railway division, to monitor vulnerable tracks and yards. This follows earlier drone acquisitions and enhanced ground security during the 2025 Mahakumbh, aiming to improve detection of tampering and enable quicker responses.
Why It Matters
The drone deployment represents a technology-driven upgrade to rail security, intended to deter sabotage and improve safety on a major transport network during peak travel and large gatherings.
Timeline
7 Events
Drones to be deployed in phases
May 3, 2026
Once inducted, the six drones are expected to be deployed in phases, prioritising divisions with a history of security incidents.
Coordination with RPF and SOPs finalised
May 3, 2026
Officials said the drones would strengthen coordination with the RPF and district police during peak travel seasons and large gatherings, with standard operating procedures covering flight permissions, data security, and inter-agency coordination being finalised.
Six drones to be deployed for real-time monitoring
May 3, 2026
The UAVs will be deployed for real-time monitoring of isolated track sections, yards, and high-risk areas to detect track tampering and other suspicious activity, enabling quicker response by field teams.
Procurement of six drones in advanced stage announced
May 3, 2026
Director General of Railway Police Prakash D confirmed that the procurement process to acquire six UAVs (one for each division) is in an advanced stage, with divisions spanning Lucknow, Moradabad, Gorakhpur, Prayagraj, Agra, and Jhansi.
Raebareli stone-pelting case conviction
2026
In a Raebareli case cited by officials, persons involved in stone-pelting were convicted and sentenced to one year of imprisonment, underscoring the GRP’s enforcement stance.
Joint patrol system activated ahead of the 2025 Mahakumbh
2025
A joint patrol system involving the GRP, Railway Protection Force (RPF), local police, village chowkidars, and railway staff was activated to strengthen vigilance across more than 16,000 km of railway tracks in the state during the Mahakumbh preparations.
Two drones acquired ahead of the 2025 Mahakumbh
2025
Two surveillance drones had already been acquired by the Uttar Pradesh GRP ahead of the 2025 Mahakumbh to strengthen rail security.