Pioneering Vision Enhances Aviation Safety in India
Dr. Shubha V. Iyengar, a celebrated Indian aerospace scientist and Padma Shri awardee of 2026, transformed aviation safety with Drishti, the country’s first homegrown runway visibility-measuring system. Developed at CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories, Drishti significantly strengthens safety during low-visibility conditions by providing accurate, real-time visibility data. Its indigenous design has reduced dependency on costly foreign systems and is now used at major Indian airports, improving operational decisions for pilots and controllers.
The Journey to a Safer Sky
In an area where reliable runway visibility information can be the difference between safe landings and critical accidents, Dr. Shubha V. Iyengar recognised a pressing aviation challenge and answered it with innovation. Before Drishti, many Indian airports depended on imported visibility measurement tools that were expensive, challenging to maintain, and often slow to repair when conditions deteriorated.
Dr. Iyengar led a team at the CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) in Bengaluru that developed Drishti, an indigenous system capable of gauging runway visibility even in dense fog, heavy rain, or dust storms. Its design aligns with international standards and consistently delivers runway visual range (RVR) data that pilots can trust when making critical decisions during take-off and landing procedures.
How Drishti Works
At its core, Drishti measures the clarity of the air along the runway by tracking how much light travels between two specific points. This transmissometer-based approach provides precise visibility figures that are crucial during low-visibility operations. The system transmits real-time data directly to air traffic control units and meteorological officers, allowing them to adjust flight procedures or issue alerts as conditions change.
Field deployments began over a decade ago, with early installations at major airports such as Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, where the technology proved its worth under challenging foggy conditions. Its success led to broader adoption across India’s busiest runways, making Drishti a cornerstone of local aviation safety infrastructure.
Impact and Legacy
Dr. Iyengar’s work did more than improve visibility measurement; it ushered in a shift toward technological self-reliance in the aviation sector. With Drishti being both more affordable and easier to service than imported alternatives, airports benefit from cost savings and faster maintenance turnaround times.
Her recognition with the Padma Shri reflects decades of dedication to aerospace science and safety innovation. Beyond Drishti, Dr. Iyengar’s broader contributions in environmental sensing and aviation instrumentation have helped create a stronger framework for flight safety in Indian skies.
Today, Drishti stands as a testament to how thoughtful engineering can enhance the safety and efficiency of civil aviation, bringing clarity and confidence to pilots, controllers, and millions of travelers across the nation.
