“A detailed drone policy is in the works to ensure safe and regulated operations while creating job opportunities. We aim to present it for cabinet approval within a month,” Singh remarked.
The information and technology (IT) department of the government is responsible for developing this policy. Officials noted that the primary goals include regulating drone operations to prevent misuse, allowing government agencies to deploy drones for surveillance and mapping, and enhancing integration with the DGCA’s Digital Sky platform.
The government intends to allocate a distinct budget for the initiative and the necessary infrastructure development.
“The policy is centered around five key areas, which encompass public awareness and enforcement. This includes outreach initiatives, zoning signage, sensitization workshops, safety frameworks, and the establishment of counter-drone standard operating procedures,” an official indicated.
Earlier this year, a committee was formed under the IT department secretary to evaluate the feasibility of the Delhi drone policy.
Drones will also be utilized for various governmental functions such as policing, disaster response, and traffic management within the city.
“The policy aims to strategize drone applications in sectors like real estate, telecom, and media. Given that nearly 60 percent of Delhi’s area is designated as a ‘no drone zone’ due to VIP installations, the policy has been crafted with these constraints in mind,” officials added.
According to the plan, the government is exploring capacity-building initiatives, including drone awareness workshops in schools, establishing centres of excellence, creating remote pilot training organizations (RPTO), and pilot training projects as part of the Delhi drone policy.
Furthermore, the policy will support facilities within the drone ecosystem, such as research clusters and flight testing facilities, alongside subsidies and state GST reimbursements.
The framework is also expected to provide financial aid for drone research and various development initiatives.
