Draft drone policy ready, aim to create 1,000 jobs: Minister

Information Technology Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh announced on Saturday that the draft of Delhi's proposed drone policy is ready, with the aim of creating over 1,000 jobs. The policy will focus on promoting the drone industry, research and development, training a skilled workforce, and identifying civilian use cases for drones.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Singh revealed that the policy will be taken to the Cabinet for approval within a month. A senior official confirmed that the five-year policy is currently under departmental consultation and expected to be implemented by September. The policy, with a budget of Rs 85 crore, aims to provide support to start-ups and businesses in the drone sector, as well as academic institutions researching drones and related technologies.

The government plans to establish drone research clusters, dedicated flight testing facilities, and subsidies to enhance the drone ecosystem. Training in drone flying and certification will be emphasized, with a focus on creating a skilled workforce. However, drone testing infrastructure may pose a challenge due to Delhi's classification into red, yellow, and green zones, with red zones being no-fly areas requiring clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Potential locations for drone testing, such as Narela and Bawana in Outer Delhi, are being explored. The policy will also identify government and civilian use cases for drones, including reconnaissance, land surveys, detection of encroachments, and three-dimensional mapping. The Yamuna area and the police's safety and surveillance needs are considered potential use cases.

The IT department has prepared a list of potential use cases, and the government plans to engage with different departments to develop concepts for implementation. The policy will comply with the legal framework governing drone operations, including the Drone Rules, 2021.