Bhubaneswar: In the heart of Odisha, Bhubaneswar—the City of Temples—faces a decidedly modern challenge: potholes. These road hazards have long been a source of frustration for residents, causing accidents and traffic snarls, with the situation worsening during monsoons. But now, a cutting-edge solution is taking flight, quite literally, over the city's streets.
How AI Drones Map Road Damage
Enter the city's newest ally in the fight against deteriorating roads: high-tech AI drones. These aerial scouts are set to revolutionize how Bhubaneswar tackles its pothole problem, offering precision detection that could guide rapid repairs and make roads safer for everyone.
"These state-of-the-art drones are equipped with high-resolution cameras and LiDAR sensors," explains Om Prakash, the COO from iGDrones, the company behind this innovative technology. "As they fly, their AI model analyzes the road surface in real-time, identifying and categorizing potholes instantly."
The drones don't just spot the problems; they measure each pothole's length, width, and depth with millimeter precision, color-coding them based on severity. This data is immediately uploaded to a cloud system, creating a comprehensive map of road conditions.
"What would take a ground team months to survey, these drones accomplish in hours," Om adds. "It's not just about speed—it's about efficiency. Repair crews can be dispatched with precise locations and material requirements, minimizing waste and maximizing effectiveness."
A Local Company with National Impact
iGDrones, while making waves across India, proudly maintains its Odia roots. The company has already left its mark on significant events in the state, such as the Puri Rath Yatra, where Odisha Police employed their "Jaga Drone" for crowd management and security surveillance.
Their reach extends far beyond pothole detection. From monitoring remote pipelines and bridges to overseeing airport operations,
iGDrones is at the forefront of integrating drone technology into various sectors. Notably, they hold the distinction of delivering India's first 5G drone.
The Bigger Picture: Urban Planning and Citizen Engagement
While technology offers promising solutions, urban planners emphasize that potholes are symptomatic of larger infrastructure challenges. Bankim Kalra, CEO of Centre for Green Mobility, provides context:
"Potholes aren't unique to Bhubaneswar," Kalra points out. "The issue often lies not in urban planning but in execution. However, technology like these drones can significantly improve our response times and resource allocation."
Kalra also highlights the potential for citizen engagement. "If residents could upload a selfie in front of a pothole, it would make a great difference. It's about creating a collaborative approach to urban maintenance."
The Road Ahead: Collaboration and Adaptation
As Bhubaneswar stands at this technological crossroads, all eyes are on how civic bodies like the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Works Department will adapt.
A top BMC source expressed openness to new technologies, stating, "We currently use satellite imagery for road assessments, but we're always looking to improve. If collaborating with private players saves time and resources, we're certainly interested in exploring those options."
The integration of drone technology into Bhubaneswar's urban management strategy represents more than just pothole repair—it's a step towards smarter, more responsive city governance. As the Temple City embraces these high-tech solutions, it sets an example for other urban centers grappling with similar challenges.
Will Bhubaneswar's roads soon be smooth sailing thanks to its eye in the sky? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the future of urban maintenance in this historic city is looking up—way up.
