Patna: The Bihar Police is set to introduce drone surveillance across the state in an effort to control crime more effectively and keep a close watch on criminal activities. Senior police officials said the move will help monitor criminals from the air and improve surveillance in areas that are difficult to access on the ground. The decision is part of a wider push towards the use of modern technology in policing, aimed at improving public safety and strengthening law and order.
Additional Director General of Police (Modernisation) Sudhanshu Kumar said that around 50 drones will be purchased by March 2026 at an estimated cost of Rs 25 crore. Under the plan, each district in Bihar will be provided with at least one drone. In addition, the Special Task Force (STF) will receive 10 advanced drones to monitor organised crime, Naxal-related activities and serious criminal cases. He said the proposal was approved during a meeting of the Union home ministry on January 14, after which the state decided to fast-track the project.
The drones to be purchased will have modern technical features. Officials said the drones will be able to fly at a height of up to 100 metres and keep an area of around 10 km under surveillance. Each drone will be capable of flying continuously for about 45 minutes. They will be fitted with high-quality cameras that can identify vehicle number plates and track suspicious movement. Police believe this will help in quickly detecting criminal activities and responding faster to incidents.
Drone surveillance will be especially useful in Bihar’s riverine and remote areas, where police access is often limited. Criminals frequently use these regions to hide or escape, making policing difficult. With drones, police will be able to monitor riverbanks, isolated villages and hard-to-reach locations more easily. Apart from crime control, drones will also be used to manage traffic, monitor congestion and maintain order during large gatherings and emergencies.
Sudhanshu Kumar said Bihar will become the fifth state in the country to introduce organised drone policing, after Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Along with drones, the state is also strengthening its forensic facilities. New Forensic Science Laboratory buildings have been constructed in all divisions of Bihar, and laboratories in Purnea, Bhagalpur, Muzaffarpur and Patna are already functioning. Officials said these steps together reflect Bihar Police’s focus on modern, technology-based policing to better serve the public.
