Uttar Pradesh’s High-Tech River Drone Survey Model

For the first time, a state has made such extensive and accurate use of a high-tech river drone survey system, which has facilitated the cleanup of rivers.

The State Clean Ganga Mission has successfully completed a drone survey of approximately 150 kilometers of major rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, Gomti, Varuna, and Pandu.
Regional Coverage: This survey was conducted in major cities like Lucknow, Prayagraj, Varanasi, and Kanpur.
‘Zero discharge’ plan in Kanpur: Based on the survey data, a detailed action plan for ‘zero discharge’ in rivers is being prepared.
- Once implemented, it will completely curb the pollutants entering Kanpur’s rivers, allowing the rivers to return to their original state.
Gomti River Restoration: A drone-based comprehensive restoration plan is being developed for the Gomti River in the capital, Lucknow.
- Drone-generated data, digital mapping and real-time monitoring are being used for drain tapping and restoration planning, reducing administrative delays and enhancing accountability.
- The move away from paper-based processes towards data-driven governance has improved implementation efficiency and coordination among departments.
Significance: The survey has made it easier to identify the actual condition of rivers, the exact sources of pollution, and the illegal drains flowing into them.
- It has also created new opportunities for sanitation, employment, and environmental protection in every village.
- This convergence of Uttar Pradesh’s public welfare policies and technology has made the state a leading state in the country in the field of water conservation.