When Govindachamy, the convict in the infamous Soumya murder case, escaped from Kannur’s high-security prison on July 25, it took police nearly nine hours, hundreds of CCTV scans, and vigilant citizens to recapture him. But what if a swarm of AI-powered surveillance drones had been deployed immediately?
That scenario could soon become reality in Kerala. In a first, the Kerala Police is planning to introduce AI surveillance drones, marking a major leap in modern policing.
The Cyber Police Headquarters has floated a tender to procure around 60 AI-equipped drones capable of real-time data collection and analysis. These drones are envisioned for use in:
- Manhunts and surveillance
- Disaster relief operations
- Traffic monitoring
- Anti-narcotics drives
- VVIP protection
“These drones will be the police’s eyes in the sky, with numerous applications,” said Ankit Asokan, SP, Cyber Operations, adding that the initiative is part of the Modernisation of Police Force (MOPF) project.
The drones will be fitted with advanced sensors, including thermal cameras to detect heat signatures, allowing them to:
- Locate survivors during floods, landslides, or building collapses
- Identify suspects through AI-driven face mapping against police databases
- Monitor and decongest traffic choke points
- Detect illegal ganja cultivation in forests
Police sources say the technology will help overcome the limitations of static CCTV cameras and conventional drones by enabling real-time analysis and rapid decision-making.
If implemented, Kerala will become one of the first states in India to deploy AI-powered drones for law enforcement, disaster management, and public safety.
