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Key Points

Bihar has launched India's first state-level bridge safety policy using AI-powered drones for inspections. The technology will scan 3,968 bridges, focusing on 45 high-risk structures first. Drones equipped with thermal imaging and LiDAR will detect even sub-millimeter defects. Public reports on bridge conditions will be available online by 2025.

Key Points: Bihar Deploys AI Drones for Bridge Safety Under New Policy

  • Bihar adopts AI drones for 3,968 bridges under new policy
  • High-risk bridges prioritized with 90-day inspections
  • AI detects sub-millimeter defects with 98.5% accuracy
  • Public star ratings via Bridge Health Index by 2025
2 min read

Bihar adopts AI-enabled drones for statewide bridge safety inspections

Bihar becomes India's first state to mandate AI-powered drone inspections for all bridges, enhancing safety with real-time monitoring and digital twin models.

"Drones are our eyes in the sky, ensuring no crack goes unseen. - Nitin Nabin, Bihar PWD Minister"

Patna, July 29

The Bihar Road Construction Department (RCD) has implemented AI-powered drone technology as a core component of bridge safety management under the Bihar State Bridge Management & Maintenance Policy, 2025, India's first state-level policy dedicated to systematic bridge upkeep.

Patna (Bihar) [India], July 29 (ANI): The Bihar Road Construction Department (RCD) has implemented AI-powered drone technology as a core component of bridge safety management under the Bihar State Bridge Management & Maintenance Policy, 2025, India's first state-level policy dedicated to systematic bridge upkeep.

Approved by the Bihar Cabinet last month, the policy introduces mandatory drone inspections and AI-powered monitoring for all state bridges.

This replaces traditional manual inspections with advanced aerial assessments across the state's 3,968 bridges, prioritizing 45 high-risk structures identified in third-party audits by IIT Patna and IIT Delhi.

Drones equipped with high-resolution 4K, thermal imaging, and LiDAR will conduct comprehensive scans of critical bridge components, including foundations, bearings, and decks, as mandated in the policy's technical standards.

Artificial intelligence algorithms will analyze collected data to detect sub-millimeter cracks, corrosion, and erosion defects with 98.5 per cent accuracy.

All inspection data automatically integrates with the Bridge Health Index (BHI) system to generate condition scores and public star ratings .

Critical bridges scoring BHI below 20 will undergo immediate closure and repairs. During floods, drones will provide real-time stability assessments under the policy's "Exceptional Event Works" protocol.

Nitin Nabin, Bihar PWD Minister, said, "Drones are our eyes in the sky, ensuring no crack goes unseen. Our policy mandates drone scans every 90 days for critical bridges - a first in the country. This eliminates human risk and ensures millimeter-level defect detection. By 2026, all 532 mega bridges will have digital twin models for lifetime monitoring, a transformational leap in public safety."

Gurgaon-based firm Vital Environment India Pvt Ltd will execute the drone operations using DGCA-certified pilots. The RCD simultaneously trains 120 engineers to operate drones and interpret AI-generated defect analytics through its collaboration with IIT Delhi.

Bridge Health Index reports derived from drone inspections will be publicly accessible via the Bridge Information Management System (BIMS) portal starting October 2025.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Great initiative but implementation is key. Hope they maintain transparency in the data and don't just use this as PR. The public portal is a good step though!
V
Vikram M
As someone who travels frequently between Patna and Gaya, this gives me relief. Too many bridge collapses in recent years. The thermal imaging and LiDAR tech sounds impressive!
R
Rohit P
Good step but what about maintenance budget? AI can detect problems but will funds be allocated for repairs? Bihar's infrastructure needs massive investment.
K
Kavya N
Training 120 engineers is excellent! Creating local expertise is crucial. Hope they include women engineers too in this program 🤞
S
Siddharth J
Digital twin models by 2026? That's ambitious! If executed well, this could become a national benchmark for infrastructure monitoring. Kudos to Bihar govt for thinking ahead.
M
Meera T
Concerned about privacy aspects though. Drones flying everywhere could be intrusive. Hope they have strict protocols about where and when they can operate.

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