Drone used for mapping of Shimla for laying water pipes: SJPNL, Swiss firm

Shimla, August 31

Officials of Shimla Jal Pradhikaran Nigam Ltd (SJPNL) and Swiss India company today said that they were using drones for mapping Shimla city for laying water supply pipes after obtaining all due permissions.

The SJPNL and the company issued the statements following allegations made by former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur that the Congress government and the police were doing surveillance of his house with drones to snoop on him.

“For the convenience of people, we have given a tender to a Swiss company, which is undertaking the geo mapping of the city for laying of water pipes. It is also mapping the existing pipe network,” said Pushp Raj Sharma of the SJPNL. He added that the company yesterday started the mapping work with a drone in the Nav Bahar, Raj Bhawan, Secretariat and Chotta Shimla areas after taking necessary permissions.

Neeraj, Joint Manager, Swiss India, said that drones were being used for the mapping of the city for the water pipe network. “We have taken permission for the mapping of Shimla city for designing a water pipe network for proper supply in the coming days. We do not undertake videography or photography and the data is only for the engineering purpose,” he added.

Neeraj said that the company had obtained necessary permissions form the SJPNL, District Magistrate and the High Court of Himachal. “I am an authorised pilot for the use of drones,” he added.