Controversy Averted: Drones Over Shimla Were Mapping, Not Surveillance

Drones over the official residence of Jai Ram Thakur, Leader of Opposition, were not for surveillance but for mapping houses under a water supply scheme by Shimla Jal Prabandhan Nigam Limited (SJPNL). The SJPNL clarified the drones were used for Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping, with government permission.

The controversy regarding drones hovering over the official residence of Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur took a turn on Saturday. Contrary to Thakur's allegations of surveillance, officials clarified that the drones were deployed by Shimla Jal Prabandhan Nigam Limited (SJPNL) for mapping houses under a 24x7 water supply scheme.

Thakur had stirred a commotion in the Vidhan Sabha on Friday, claiming drone surveillance from the local SP's residence. However, SJPNL stated that GIS mapping, an aspect of their awarded work for Shimla City's water project, was being conducted with proper government permissions.

SJPNL Managing Director Devender Thakur announced that the mapping, which included data collection and planning, was approved from August 5 to September 9, 2024. The GIS mapping aims to design and lay an effective water pipeline network. Despite initial security concerns, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu assured that no surveillance was intended and emphasized the government's commitment to the security of the opposition leader.

(With inputs from agencies.)