Bengaluru: The Rural Development and Panchayat Raj department sought a report from Mangaluru-based Quad Perspective on whether aerial survey using drones is feasible to study the rural roads in the state.

According to sources in the department, the state government is planning to study around 20,000 kilometres of rural roads across the state using drones to get a clear picture of the condition and the repairs required.

Speaking to NewsKarnataka.com, Anuj Mascarenhas, one of the partners at Quad Perspective said, “We had a meeting with several officials from the RDPR department where we presented data about the feasibility of using drones for the survey. They have accepted that drones are useful and will be raising tenders soon.”

Asked how they came to be contacted, Anuj recalled that the government came to know about Quad Perspective after the tragic Kodagu floods last year. “We did some work in Kodagu after the floods. At that time we came into contact with Principal Secretary (RDPR) Atheeq. He remembered us and asked us to make a feasibility report and a presentation for the survey of rural roads,” he added.

Explaining about the project, RDPR minister Krishna Byre Gowda said, “Rs 7,182 crores has been fixed for rural road management. To ensure more transparency and effectiveness, we are planning to use drones to conduct the survey.”

The total length of roads classified as rural roads is 56,363 kilometres. Out of this 24,246 kilometres of road is classified as priority sector roads as they connect important institutions like schools, colleges, hospitals etc.