Agartala: In a move to modernise its power infrastructure monitoring system, the Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL) is preparing to introduce drone-based surveillance across the state, aimed at improving service reliability, safety, and efficiency, officials confirmed on Monday.
TSECL Managing Director Biswajit Basu said the drone-based system will play a key role in predictive maintenance and rapid fault detection, significantly reducing downtime and enhancing overall power supply reliability in the state.
The new technology will enable aerial inspections of transmission towers, conductors, insulators, and associated hardware, capturing high-resolution visuals that can detect corrosion, cracks, misalignments, and other early signs of wear that are difficult to spot from the ground.
“This system is particularly effective in regions where traditional patrols are difficult—such as remote, hilly, forested, or flood-prone areas,” Basu noted.
He added that drones equipped with thermal imaging can pinpoint hotspots, broken strands, and flashover marks, helping to prevent outages before they occur.
Beyond maintenance, the initiative is expected to improve safety by eliminating the need for technicians to climb towers or operate near live lines.
The drones will also assist in enforcing electrical safety standards and preventing power theft by identifying illegal wire tapping through visual and thermal inspections.
AI-powered image analysis will further support the system by automatically detecting physical damage, misalignments, or degradation in poles and wires across the power distribution network.
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Additionally, drone surveillance will help identify vegetation encroachment near transmission lines and poles—a major risk factor for power disruptions and fire hazards.
Basu said the technology will also aid in post-disaster response by enabling rapid mapping of affected areas, allowing authorities to prioritise restoration work more efficiently.
“With multiple advantages of adopting a technology-driven system, TSECL will soon roll out drone surveillance across the state to safeguard infrastructure and ensure uninterrupted power supply,” the Managing Director stated.
