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Aquatic technology entered the safety plan of Gangasagar Mela 2026 with GPS, onboard camera, and automatic return, enhancing the response capability of teams in water rescues during one of the main religious events held in the coastal region of West Bengal.
The district administration of South 24 Parganas, in the Indian state of West Bengal, has incorporated a remotely controlled lifesaving aquatic drone into the rescue scheme of Gangasagar Mela 2026, held in the coastal region of the Bay of Bengal.
Described as a motorized and self-propelled buoy, the equipment is prepared to reach people at risk in the water with the support of GPS, onboard camera, and remote control, reducing response time in aquatic emergencies.
According to the Times of India, this is the first time the local administration plans to use this type of drone in the rescue operations of Gangasagar Mela, one of the major religious gatherings in the region.
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Lifesaving drone functions as first response in water
Unlike a conventional buoy, the drone does not rely solely on the current, manual throwing, or the immediate arrival of a rescuer to the point where the victim is located.
Once launched into the water, the device can be remotely guided to the person in danger, providing initial support while the rescue team moves to complete the assistance.
In practice, the floating structure allows the victim to lean on the equipment and be guided to a safer area, without the first support relying exclusively on the physical approach of the lifeguards.
The technical data released to the Indian press help explain the interest of emergency teams, especially in places with high circulation of people, waves, currents, or limited visibility.
With an operational range of 1 kilometer and a maximum speed of 7 meters per second, the device was presented as a solution capable of shortening travel times in situations where arrival time is crucial.
In these scenarios, bringing flotation to the victim in the first moments can reduce the risk of the situation worsening before the responsible professionals can reach the exact rescue point.
Towing capacity reaches 1,000 kg
Another point that increased attention on the equipment is the traction capacity reported by Indian sources, as the drone can tow up to 1,000 kg, equivalent to one ton, in the water.
With this strength, the device can assist more than one person in the same incident or support the movement of emergency boats and rafts during a coordinated rescue operation.
This performance changes the role of the drone within the operation, as it no longer acts only as an approach resource but also integrates the initial removal stage.
Designed for adverse conditions, the structure also features a self-righting system that allows the equipment to return to the correct position in about 2 seconds if it overturns due to impact or wave action.
This feature reduces the risk of interruption during a critical mission, especially since loss of stability at the moment of approach could delay assistance and force the team to reorganize part of the action.
1080p Camera Helps Operators During Rescue
On the remote control, a screen receives the transmission from the onboard camera in 1080p, allowing operators to follow the route, adjust navigation, and observe the victim’s condition during the movement.
This visual feedback becomes important in busy areas, where water reflections, distance, and the flow of pilgrims can make it difficult to quickly identify a person at risk.
In addition to the camera and GPS, the drone has automatic return to the launch point, a function activated when the signal is lost or when the battery falls below 15%.
By preventing the equipment from getting lost during an incident, the system helps preserve the resource for new calls, something relevant in events with a large concentration of people and the possibility of successive activations.
Gangasagar Mela Enhances Safety in the Bay of Bengal
The Gangasagar Mela takes place in an area where the Ganges River meets the Bay of Bengal, in West Bengal, a region that requires safety planning in bathing, movement, and crossing zones.
Before the operational entry of the drone, rescue teams conducted exercises and simulations, according to the Times of India, indicating that the equipment was incorporated into the response plan and not just displayed as a technological demonstration.
The solution also differs from aerial drones used in monitoring, as it operates directly on the water’s surface and provides physical support to the victim in the first moments of the emergency.
By combining GPS, camera, high speed, automatic return, self-righting, and towing capacity, the motorized buoy expands response options in water rescues without replacing the work of lifeguards.
The experience at Gangasagar indicates that direct operation equipment, when integrated with trained teams, can gain ground in coastal events, rivers, and beaches that require constant surveillance.
The larger scale use, however, depends on maintenance, training, and integration with human rescue protocols, necessary factors for the technology to function as effective support in real situations.
