Lucknow,

02 July (HS): The Uttar Pradesh government has used modern technology like as

Artificial Intelligence (AI), drones, and satellite-based surveillance systems

to combat illicit mining and mineral trafficking, authorities said on

Wednesday. The state has seized more than 21,477 vehicles implicated in illegal

transportation activities, demonstrating an unparalleled degree of

surveillance, according to officials.

As

part of the crackdown, 57 AI and IoT-enabled checkpoints have been installed around

the state to monitor vehicles involved in mining activities. These automated checkpoints, which were put

up with the cooperation of the Transport Department, use weigh-in-motion

technology to identify and prevent vehicle overloading, according to a state

government statement.

In

addition to real-time vehicle tracking, the Directorate of Geology and Mining

uses advanced satellite imagery and mapping technologies like Google Earth,

Arc-GIS, and LISS-IV data to discover unlawful mining sites and uncover

undeveloped mineral zones, it said.

The

government's Remote Sensing Lab is creating geological maps and monitoring

granted mining licenses. This has aided

in the discovery of fresh sand, morang, and other small mineral deposits,

according to the statement.

It

said that AIS 140-compatible GPS devices are being fitted in cars as part of

the Vehicle Tracking System (VTS) to better track mineral movement. These

devices will be linked to the department's VTS module, allowing for real-time

tracking, route deviation alarms, and detailed reporting (MIS) to combat

unlawful transportation.

According

to the statement, carriers are now registered as stakeholders for the first

time in order to integrate them into the system. The deployment of drone

technology has enabled the measurement of mining sites' length, width, and

depth, according to the report. Volumetric analysis using drones aids in

precisely estimating the quantity of mining done, and action is made based on

these results, the report added. Drones are also used to assess the volume of

stored minerals and to identify mineable regions for effective lease

management. This maximizes the usage of

accessible mineral zones, it added.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi