Pune: The National Highways Authority of India has turned its eyes to drones and artificial intelligence to identify and remove more than 1,000 invasions along Maharashtra's highways.These intrusions range from parked trucks and makeshift structures to construction materials dumped on the roadside. High-frequency drones deployed from mobile vehicles capture real-time images of the highway. “Artificial intelligence (AI) is used to analyze these images to flag potential obstacles and then validate them through physical investigations,” said an official from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).NHAI officials said 1,620 notifications have been issued since the beginning of the year, based on drone surveys along the state highways. Of these, 1,609 violations have been removed with the help of the district administration involved. The remaining 11 runs are pending.Officials said the new approach would help speed up road projects that have been delayed by the invasion. “Removing hurdles along the highways has been a sustained challenge in completing major construction projects. Drone surveys are currently being conducted on the 1,707km completed road network in the state,” another NHAI official said.Over the past six months, drones have been deployed in major highway stretches, including Shirdi Ahmednagar, Sanri Sorapur, Ratnagiri Korapur, Kagal Satara, Pune Sorapur, Pune Satara and Nasik Fata Kyed. Drone footage provides photographic evidence that is transferred to district management for verification and action.The survey method involves operators traveling in their cars while the drone flies overhead and captures continuous images of the highway. “Drones flag roadsides, makeshift shops, or trucks parked in discarded materials, which will be verified on the ground before removal,” an NHAI official said.The NHAI has been experimenting with drones for a year. The focused drive to clarify the invasion based on drone investigations only began this year. Officials said the use of technology has increased the efficiency of identifying hurdles and project execution.Commuters welcomed the move, noting that disturbances are common on long stretches of the highway. “Vehicles are frequently parked on roadsides and small construction and hoarding. Clearing them is essential, and drone investigations help you identify them faster,” said a regular commuter who is familiar with highway operations.Another ordinary traveler, Maneesha Khade, said that while certain stretches are clear, many highways have these obstructions. “Nai should clear these,” she said. A similar drone assistance survey is being carried out in other states to speed up highway projects, according to another NHAI official. He said physical verification continues to be necessary, but the drone provided evidence that it cannot be refuted.
