Maharashtra To Set Up Ministerial Task Force To Boost Drone Industry: CM Fadnavis

Mumbai: Maharashtra's Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced the formation of a ministerial task force to bolster the state's drone industry. The task force, led by Electronics, Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence Minister Ashish Shelar, will focus on implementing the state's drone policy effectively, raising awareness about government schemes among entrepreneurs, and addressing industry-related challenges promptly.

During a meeting chaired by Fadnavis, Fadnavis emphasized the need to create a comprehensive "policy of policies" for the drone industry, integrating aspects such as research and development, manufacturing of indigenous components, testing, patents, and financial incentives from various government policies. Fadnavis highlighted that Maharashtra's drone policy is more robust than those of other states, and stressed the importance of making its benefits easily accessible to entrepreneurs.

He directed officials to prioritize research and development, as well as the manufacturing of drone components indigenously, and urged the consolidation of financial provisions for research available under different policies into a single framework for entrepreneurs' ease of access. Fadnavis also called for strengthening the existing drone ecosystem and the establishment of a 'Drone City' in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar's Industrial City area.

Furthermore, he stressed the development of a special incentive policy for the next two to three years to facilitate land availability for drone companies via the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), and the provision of assistance for testing expenses, patent costs, and access to various government schemes.