VIHANGAM

In News 

• Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd (MCL), the premier CPSE under the Ministry of Coal has introduced drone technology in coal mines.
  • Engaged in coal mining activities in Sundergarh, Jharsuguda and Angul districts of Odisha, Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd (MCL) contributes more than 20 % of the total coal produced in India.

About Technology

•  The technology has been introduced through the launch of a web-based portal ‘VIHANGAM’ along with a drone and ground control system.

• The portal allows an authorised person to access real-time drone video from the mine through a dedicated 40 Mbps internet lease line near the mines. 
• There is a control station that flies the drone and the system can be operated through the portal from anywhere. 
• Purpose:  It has been introduced in coal mines for environmental monitoring, volume measurement, and photogrammetric mapping of mines for digitalisation of the mining process
• Other developments: Besides deploying state- of- art technology to further enhance record coal production, MCL has also stepped up the use of latest equipment to further enhance safety standards. 
  • It has recently introduced Robotic Nozzle Water Sprayer in its coal stockyard. Coal companies use Robot-assisted firefighting and dust suppression advanced technology to carry out difficult and dangerous jobs.
  • The equipment can spray water up to 70 meters in the form of mist. The nozzle also termed as swivel nozzle, is installed on a water tanker of 28 kilolitres capacity.

Source: ET