![Rescue workers collect the remains of victims after a blast at a religious school in Peshawar [Abdul Majeed/AFP]](https://thechenabtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/000_8TX33L.jpg "Rescue workers collect the remains of victims after a blast at a religious school in Peshawar [Abdul Majeed/AFP]")
SRINAGAR: Rutba Majeed, an electrical engineer from Kashmir, has achieved a dual distinction, becoming the region’s first woman to qualify as a DGCA Drone Instructor and securing a Rs 15 lakh grant for her innovative power fault detection project.
The Chenab Times has learned that Majeed’s project, titled “Low-Cost Drone Imaging for Detection of Power Infrastructure Faults,” was selected under the MSME Hackathon 5.0, providing crucial funding for its further development. This achievement highlights a growing trend of young innovators from the region contributing to technological advancements.
Majeed, an electrical engineering graduate, first encountered drone technology during an internship at NIELIT. Her initial curiosity evolved into a deep interest in drone functionality and their potential applications beyond recreational use. She pursued structured study, focusing on drone rules, regulations, and practical applications, driven by a desire to address real-world challenges with her engineering background.
Her certification as a DGCA Drone Instructor marks a significant milestone, not only for her but also as a potential inspiration for other women in Kashmir to enter technologically driven fields. Majeed expressed that the achievement carries a sense of responsibility and hopes it will encourage more young women to explore opportunities in drone technology.
The recognized project aims to develop a drone-based system capable of detecting latent faults within power transmission infrastructure. These faults, such as overheating, insulation degradation, and corona discharge, are often difficult to identify through conventional manual inspections, particularly in the challenging and remote terrains of Jammu and Kashmir. The proposed system intends to utilize drones equipped with specialized sensors to identify these issues proactively, thereby preventing major power system failures.
Majeed emphasized that the project is currently in its development phase, with the grant intended for the creation and testing of a functional prototype. A key objective of the project is to maintain a low-cost design, ensuring its accessibility and widespread adoption. She explained that her motivation stems from both her academic expertise and the persistent issues faced by the power sector in India, including substantial electricity losses attributed to transmission faults.
The engineer also envisions broader applications for drone technology, including environmental monitoring, such as assessing pollution levels in water bodies like Dal Lake, and agricultural analysis, like evaluating crop health through imaging techniques. The development process, she admitted, involved considerable trial and error, requiring continuous learning and problem-solving in integrating sensors and drone technology.
The MSME grant has bolstered her confidence in advancing the project. Majeed aspires to continue her work in drone technology and explore its diverse applications across various sectors. Her journey underscores a evolving technological landscape in Kashmir, where aspiring innovators are increasingly translating ideas into tangible solutions.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
