Northern Railways signalled green on drone survey
Srinagar: Inching closer to linking the frontier district of Kupwara with the rest of India through rail link, the Northern Railways today secured approval for a crucial drone survey for the purpose.
The approved drone survey will help to link Sopore to Kupwara, covering an extensive 33.7-kilometre stretch. The project will connect the border town of Kupwara with the rest of the nation.
However, the approval has come with conditions to ensure the safety and security of the region.
Sources said that the approval was granted with the condition that Northern Railways cooperates closely with local police, PMF and sister agencies, personally assuming responsibility in case of unforeseen circumstances.
Further, the Northern Railways have to cooperate with local law enforcement, reporting to concerned police stations before travel, and refraining from causing traffic obstructions. The permission strictly prohibits drone usage near sensitive areas including the LoC.
The directive issued by District Development Commissioner Kupwara emphasizes the importance of legal compliance, directing organizers to follow guidelines issued by the Supreme Court or any other competent court.
The order emphasised that the drones could be used for photography during daytime only, specifically from 9 am to 4 pm.
Meanwhile, the residents in the North Kashmir express optimism regarding the development.
In August 2023, it may be mentioned, that LG Manoj Sinha announced plans to connect Kashmir to Kanyakumari by the end of the financial year, aiming to link the valley with key commercial centres across the country.
