Drone Didis’ take charge: Women police officers lead tech surveillance

In a first-of-its-kind move, the Delhi Police’s West District has trained women police personnel to operate surveillance drones under a new initiative titled “Netra–Netrutva–Naari” (Vision–Leadership–Women).

As part of the programme, women constables — now popularly known as “Drone Didis” — have been deployed in busy market areas including Tilak Nagar, Rajouri Garden, Moti Nagar and Kirti Nagar. Their role is to monitor crowds and detect suspicious activity from the skies during the festive season.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Darade Sharad Bhaskar said the initiative not only enhanced policing efficiency but also reflected the increasing leadership of women in technology-driven security roles.

Equipped with drones, the women officers provide real-time visuals to the district control room, enabling rapid response to any untoward incidents. The drones are primarily being used for crowd management, traffic monitoring and early detection of suspicious movements. Any footage showing unusual behaviour or potential congestion is immediately shared with field units for swift action, the official added.