NEW DELHI: With its operational network within a touching distance of 400km — and a large section built 15 to 20 years ago — Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) is going to replace the manual inspection by a drone survey.
“DMRC will use drone for inspection as an advance means for a better view and access, doing away with the manual mode of inspection that takes more time and labour,” a spokesperson said. “The inspection will be done in a phased manner at all elevated sections,” he added.
Around 65% of the Delhi Metro network in the national capital region comprises elevated sections, which are affected by the elements over the years. “With the passage of time, structures are anticipated to be affected due to several external factors such as climate, train movement, material life,” the spokesperson said, adding that such an inspection would help in analysing and rectifying the issues to make the structures last longer.
The inspection includes a thorough checking of all minute elements related to civil structures, from bearings to viaducts. “This also includes elevated structures like foot overbridges, piers, girders, ramps,” he said. “This is a routine exercise being conducted in all infrastructure projects to keep a check on the safety aspects of civil structures.”
DMRC will engage an agency that will use drones suitable for aerial surveys with high-resolution 4k calibrated cameras. The camera system will be fitted with gimbals to ensure it remains stable and captures clear images based on the precise location given by Global Navigation Satellites System.
The spokesperson said various aspects of the inspection included ensuring safety of structures, finding out their physical condition, detecting any abnormality or defects at an early stage, and identifying actual and potential sources of a problem.
Such inspections will help record systematically and periodically the condition of a structure, which will enable DMRC in identifying any significant structural changes and defects, he added.
The survey will help DMRC plan and carry out maintenance repairs, and strengthening and replacing structural components, the spokesperson said. It will also provide a feedback to designers and construction engineers on the features creating maintenance problems, he added.
Once any abnormality or defect is detected during the drone survey, DMRC’s teams will reach the exact spot with the help of skylifts, scaffoldings and trolleys to carry out a detailed inspection.
