East Coast Railway to double its RPF surveillance drone fleet from 11 to 22 by March 2027 under 'DROAWK EYE'

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East Coast Railway to double its RPF surveillance drone fleet from 11 to 22 by March 2027 under 'DROAWK EYE'

11 October 2026

East Coast Railway (ECoR) plans to double its drone fleet from 11 to 22 by March 2027 to strengthen railway security.
The Railway Protection Force (RPF) uses the drones under its 'DROAWK EYE – Observation, Detection, Prevention' initiative.
The present fleet comprises four drones in Khurda Road division, six in Sambalpur and one in Rayagada.
They are backed by 160 DGCA-certified drone pilots.
The drones help prevent sabotage and stone pelting and detect theft and intrusion on vulnerable stretches; they were also used for crowd management during the Puri Rath Yatra.

Drones now: 11 Target fleet: 22 by March 2027 By division: Khurda Road 4, Sambalpur 6, Rayagada 1 DGCA-certified drone pilots: 160

Why it matters for exams: Use of drones and technology by the RPF for railway security is a science-and-security current affairs theme.

Kerala PSCUPSC

11 October 2026 Source: UNI

In plain words

RPF Railway Protection Force — The armed force of the Union responsible for the security of railway property and passengers.

DGCA Directorate General of Civil Aviation — India's civil aviation regulator, which certifies drone pilots.