The need for a systematic intervention by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to create infrastructure for drone training was stressed at a round-table, headed by Rajiv Bansal, CEO of National Institute of Smart Government and former secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India, and with participation from various drone manufacturing and technology companies. The panel plans to put forth this proposal to the DGCA.
“This includes not just drone highways or airstrips but also airspace free from manned traffic and advanced conditions for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone operations, inspired by global practice,” said Chirag Sharma, CEO of Drone Destination.
With over 200 startups, the sector is set to see a significant demand for drones for commercial and private purposes in the civilian sector. Wings India 2024 at the Begumpet Airport in Hyderabad also saw experts from the industry talk about cutting-edge drone technologies in revolutionising the aviation landscape.