Overview

• Revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced that 97 mines in Pune district will be surveyed with LiDAR-equipped drones to measure excavation volumes more accurately.
• LiDAR flights will generate high-resolution 3D maps of operational and closed mines to bridge the gap between reported and actual mineral extraction.
• Standardized digital base maps and a virtual inspection system will enable officials to monitor sites remotely and collect evidence of unauthorized digs.
• The pilot builds on earlier drone surveys and Mahakhanij portal transparency measures targeting murum, sand and stone extraction.
• Following evaluation, the revenue department plans to expand the LiDAR drone initiative in phases to additional districts across Maharashtra.