With plans for a dedicated drone policy and a 300-acre testing ground, Andhra Pradesh aims to soar as India’s top drone hub. That is what the Chief Minister said.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced plans to transform the state into a leading drone hub on Tuesday during the inaugural Amaravati Drone Summit 2024. He commended the potential of drones to transform government services across various sectors.
At the summit, Naidu pledged to be the industry’s ambassador and make the state a testing ground for drone applications. He announced that a comprehensive drone policy would be unveiled within the next 15 days and revealed the allocation of 300 acres of land in Kurnool for establishing a dedicated drone hub.
Speaking on plans to integrate drone technology into agriculture, traffic management, and healthcare delivery, Naidu highlighted the successful use of drones in recent flood relief efforts in Vijayawada, delivering essential supplies to inaccessible areas.
He further noted that drones could identify pest-affected crops for targeted pesticide application and assist law enforcement through surveillance.
Union Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu extended his support to these initiatives, underscoring the government’s focus on promoting domestic drone manufacturing and liberalising regulations to bolster the industry.
The summit attracted the participation of 1,711 delegates and 1,306 visitors. Moreover, agreements were signed with the Quality Council of India and IIT Tirupati for drone research and development. Besides, the event featured drone hackathons and exhibitions showcasing insights from industry experts.
