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Water drone with 1,000 kg towing power to guard lakhs at Gangasagar Mela; here’s how it works

The Remote-Controlled Lifebuoy Water Drone cuts through waves at 7 metres per second, streams HD video to rescuers, and has a specialised auto-righting capability.

3 min readKolkataUpdated: Jan 7, 2026 04:53 PM IST

The Remote-Controlled Lifebuoy Water Drone. (Source: Special Arrangement)

Imagine a lifeguard that never tires, swims at three times the speed of an Olympic athlete, and can pull the weight of a small car. For the crowds at Gangasagar Mela—an annual pilgrimage where lakhs of devotees take a holy dip at the confluence of the Ganga and the Bay of Bengal in West Bengal on Makar Sankranti—this is not science fiction, but the new standard of safety.

Meet the Remote-Controlled Lifebuoy Water Drone: a high-speed, high-tech guardian designed to reach victims in seconds that has been officially deployed to protect pilgrims and visitors at this year’s Gangasagar Mela. This advanced aquatic robot is engineered to bridge the critical gap in response time during water emergencies.

“Operating with a 1 km range, the drone serves as a high-speed first responder. While even the strongest human swimmers face fatigue and resistance, this drone cuts through waves at a blazing speed of 7 metres per second,” Arvind Kumar Mina, District Magistrate, South 24 Parganas district, said.

“To ensure rescuers have total visibility, the drone transmits 1080p HD real-time video feedback directly to a screen-integrated remote controller, allowing for precise navigation even in crowded waters,” he added.

A high-speed, high-tech guardian designed to reach victims in seconds that has been officially deployed to protect pilgrims and visitors at this year’s Gangasagar Mela. (Source: Special Arrangement)

Constructed using high-density, impact-resistant LLDPE polymer, making it virtually indestructible against rocky shores or debris, the drone is capable of towing up to 1,000 kg—enough to pull multiple survivors or entire life rafts to safety simultaneously.

It also features a specialised auto-righting capability, which means that if a wave flips the craft, it rights itself in just two seconds. Safety is a priority as the enclosed propellers allow victims to grab onto the device without the risk of injury.

“It is also equipped with an intelligent GPS auto-return system, ensuring the device automatically returns to its launch point if the battery dips below 15 per cent or if the signal is ever lost. This deployment marks a significant leap in disaster management technology, ensuring that help is always just a few seconds away at Sagar Mela,” said an official.

Sweety Kumari

Sweety Kumari is a seasoned journalist reporting from West Bengal for The Indian Express. With over a decade of experience in the media industry and eight years specifically with The Indian Express, she demonstrates considerable Expertise and Authority across a diverse range of critical beats. Experience & Authority Current Role: Journalist, The Indian Express, reporting from West Bengal. Extensive Tenure: Over 10 years of experience in the media industry, with a long association (8 years) with The Indian Express, contributing to a high level of Trustworthiness. Diverse Coverage: Covers crucial beats including Crime, Defence, Health, and Politics, alongside writing on trending topics. Investigative Focus: Possesses a keen eye for investigative and human-interest stories, demonstrating depth and skill in impactful journalism. Beat Versatility: Has honed her craft across diverse beats, including aviation and reporting on various incidents, ensuring well-rounded and comprehensive reportage. Career Start: Began her journalistic journey as an Entertainment and lifestyle journalist with a news portal in Kolkata, providing a foundational understanding of media landscape and audience engagement. Education Advanced Education: Holds a PG in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University, equipping her with advanced media theory and skills. Undergraduate Education: Holds an Honours degree in Journalism from Jaipuria College. Multilingual Skill: Her fluency in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Maithili enhances her reach and capability to connect with diverse sources and communities in the region, adding a layer of accessibility and authenticity to her reporting. Regional Roots: Originally from Bihar, she was brought up and educated in Kolkata (Kendriya Vidyalaya Salt Lake), giving her a deep, personal understanding of the cultural and political nuances of her reporting region. Sweety Kumari's combination of significant experience, specialization in key beats like Crime and Politics, and strong academic background makes her a trusted and authoritative contributor to The Indian Express. ... Read More

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