The Maharashtra state cabinet on Tuesday approved the formulation of the Maharashtra Automated Systems Policy-2026, aimed at implementing automated systems such as drones and robots in research and development, innovation, production, deployment, maintenance, repair, and reconstruction. This policy is expected to significantly boost the manufacturing of drones, robots, and autonomous vehicles, as well as training, engineering, and research and development projects to operate these devices. The government anticipates attracting investments worth Rs 25,000 crore through this initiative.
Policy Duration and Scope
The policy will remain in effect for a minimum of five years or until a new policy is finalized. It is designed to be utilized across various fields, including infrastructure and industrial monitoring, agricultural and environmental management, public safety and disaster response, logistics, and civil management.
Skilled Manpower Development
Emphasis will be placed on developing a skilled workforce of approximately 5,000 remote pilots. In particular, the Namo Drone Didi scheme will be effectively implemented, training more than a thousand women from self-help groups as certified pilots for use in the agricultural sector.
Key Application Areas
Infrastructure and Industrial Inspection
- Safety inspection of bridge piers and marine area mapping and survey
- Expressway monitoring
- Land surveying and aerial survey for construction of power lines
Agriculture and Environmental Management
- Soil sampling and mechanical weed control
- Fisheries and water quality monitoring
- Crop spraying and forest area monitoring
Public Safety and Disaster Response
- Search and inspection in industrial spill areas
- Monitoring of river and coastal areas
- Illegal fishing control and deep-sea marine products operations
- Drone ambulances, medical supply delivery, disaster mapping, firefighting assistance, and crowd management
Logistics and Urban Management
- Warehouse automation and inventory management
- Port security and port patrols
- Drug distribution
- Maintenance and repair of inaccessible areas
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