Delhi Government Drafts Comprehensive Drone Policy to Boost Investment and Jobs
The Delhi government is actively framing a comprehensive drone policy aimed at promoting significant investment and creating numerous job opportunities while deploying drones across key areas of governance. This initiative includes urban planning, infrastructure monitoring, and pollution control, in addition to supporting police with enhanced security measures.
Apex Committee Reviews Policy Framework
An apex committee, comprising the IT secretary, home secretary, and a special commissioner of Delhi Police, has held a meeting to consider various aspects of the policy. According to a Delhi government official, the panel discussed ways to make the policy competitive and ensure it aligns with the Centre's drone rules of 2021 for regulatory consistency. The committee also examined key takeaways from similar policies implemented in several states.
Learning from Progressive State Frameworks
The government is studying drone policies from Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh, with the goal of adapting their best practices to suit Delhi's unique needs. A group of officers recently visited Telangana for this purpose. Another official highlighted that these states have adopted progressive frameworks offering:
- Capital subsidies for drone manufacturing units
- Production-linked incentives
- R&D grants
- Reimbursement of certification costs
- Dedicated drone parks or testing corridors
Their unique selling proposition lies in creating an end-to-end ecosystem, from manufacturing and component supply chains to pilot training schools and assured government demand for projects in mapping, agriculture, and infrastructure. Some states have integrated drones into broader start-up and skilling policies, ensuring industry support is backed by talent development and market access.
Stakeholder Engagement and Implementation Plans
A working committee will be established to draw up finer details of the policy in engagement with government departments and stakeholders. Consultations with stakeholders, including start-ups, academic institutes, and industry representatives, are expected to begin next month before the policy is formally drafted. The official emphasized that these discussions are crucial for tailoring the policy to local needs.
Incentives and Employment Generation
The policy is exploring provisions to provide incentives for setting up research, testing, and prototyping facilities. Plug-and-play incubation hubs could be encouraged to lower entry barriers for young entrepreneurs, helping attract investment into drone analytics, mapping solutions, and hardware manufacturing. A key focus area will be generating employment by creating opportunities across:
- Drone piloting
- Maintenance and repair
- Data analytics
- GIS mapping
- Assembly-line manufacturing
As part of an academic partnership, IIT Delhi is likely to be engaged by the government to help shape the policy, leveraging technical expertise.
Governance Applications and Regulatory Measures
The policy aims to promote the use of drones across various government departments. Drones can be deployed extensively in governance, with the policy setting up enabling frameworks. For instance, they can be used to mitigate pollution through mist spraying in hotspot areas. More departments are expected to be roped in as discussions progress.
The policy will define areas prohibited for drone operations and mandate registration of drones flying in the city. A unique identification number mechanism may be introduced to maintain a comprehensive database, enhancing safety and oversight.
This initiative represents a significant step towards modernizing Delhi's infrastructure and governance through technological innovation, with a strong emphasis on economic growth and public welfare.
