Gujarat Police launched the Gujarat Police – Drone Response and Aerial Surveillance Tactical Intervention Project (GP-DRASTI), a surveillance and rapid-response initiative. The project aims to reduce police response times at crime scenes using advanced drone technology, addressing limitations of traditional PCR (Police Control Room) van-based responses.
Key Highlights of GP-DRASTI Project
Objective:
- To ensure faster arrival at crime scenes using drones in place of (or alongside) PCR vans, significantly improving response efficiency in urban crime hotspots.
Operational Mechanism
When an incident is reported via police helpline number 100, both:
- The PCR van, and
- The drone base station are alerted simultaneously.
A drone is dispatched to the location alongside the PCR team to capture live aerial visuals.
Response Time Advantage
In a 10-day pilot program conducted in Surat and Ahmedabad:
- Drones reached crime scenes in less than 50% of the time taken by PCR vans.
- In some cases, drones arrived within 2 to 2.5 minutes.
Drone Specifications
| Feature | Description |
| Type | Quadcopter |
| Flight Ceiling | 120 metres (above ground level) |
| Flight Time | 45 minutes |
| Range | 4 km (adequate for any police station’s jurisdiction) |
| Camera Zoom | Up to 1 km; effective visual range: 700 metres |
| Night Vision | Built-in night vision with seamless day-night switching |
| Tracking Capabilities | Can track fixed targets or suspects; follows automatically if needed |
| Obstacle Navigation | Can see through soft obstacles (e.g., trees, bushes); repositions for solid |
| Control | Managed from a centralized drone base station |
Strategic Deployment: Hotspot Areas
Focus Area: 33 police station jurisdictions in 4 major cities—Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, and Rajkot. These are crime “hotspots” for body-related crimes such as:
- Assault, rioting, street violence, mob lynching, unlawful assembly, and weapon-related offences.
The zones were identified under SHASTRA (Sharir Sambandhi Tras Rokva Abhiyan), launched in February 2025.
Implementation Timeline
- 8 drones have already been procured; 18+ drones to be inducted soon.
- In Phase 1, the GP-DRASTI system will be rolled out in 33 targeted police stations: 12 in Ahmedabad; 9 in Surat; 7 in Vadodara; 5 in Rajkot
- A 6-day drone operations training program at Karai is underway.
- Initial deployment will begin at 8 police stations in Ahmedabad, with further expansion planned.
Significance:
GP-DRASTI initiative sets a precedent for technology-first policing models in high-crime urban zones across India. It marks a major step towards:
- modernizing policing in India
- leveraging AI-integrated drone technology for real-time crime monitoring
- faster decision-making
- enhanced public safety