New Delhi, Jan. 26 -- The Centre plans to deploy artificial intelligence (AI) to analysze satellite imagery, local surveys, and real-time data to address civic issues such as drainage, waterlogging and waste management in rural areas, Panchayati Raj secretary Vivek Bharadwaj told Mint.

The initiative aims to help panchayats map drainage networks, identify flood-prone areas, and prioritize maintenance work more efficiently.

Bharadwaj said a pilot has already been conducted in seven villages in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi-the Lok Sabha constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-with plans to eventually cover 255,000 gram panchayats across the country to improve planning, reduce response times and ensure better use of funds.

Karnataka-base...