Looking at the immense opportunities offered by new technologies, India has unveiled a new policy for drone use which will be effective from December 1.
The policy was announced by civil and commerce minister Suresh Prabhu, who said that the policy will revolutionize many sectors, including agriculture and infrastructure.
In announcing Drone Regulations 1.0, the minister said that the operations of remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) will be enabled through a “Digital Sky Platform” (DSP).
“A new chapter in India’s aviation history by allowing commercial use of drones has started,” Prabhu said. “I am sure that many new and exciting applications will emerge that will propel India’s economy forward. This will encourage a vast Made in India drone industry.”
India’s minister of state was similarly enthusiastic about the policy. “We want to establish a world-leading drone ecosystem. These regulations firmly place us among the global leaders,” said Indian minister of state Jayant Sinha. “Our policy roadmap will certainly provide a strong impetus to all players in the drone ecosystem. We hope that these initiatives will enable us to create a vibrant new industry.”
Under the first-of-its-kind national unmanned traffic management (UTM) platform that implements “no permission, no takeoff” (NPNT), users will be required to do a one-time registration of their drones, pilots and owners. For every flight, users will be required to ask for permission to fly on a mobile app and an automated process either permits or denies the request instantly.
All RPAS aircraft except those in the nano category and those owned by National Technical Research Organization (NTRO), ARC and Central Intelligence Agencies are to be registered and issued with a unique identification number.
Drone Regulations 1.0 are intended to enable visual line-of-sight daytime-only and a maximum operational altitude of 400 feet (about 122 metres). Air space has been categorized in zones that include red zone (flying not permitted), yellow zone (controlled airspace) and green zone (automatic permission), the Indian aviation ministry said in a statement.
To prevent unauthorized flights and to ensure public safety, any drone without a digital permit to fly will simply not be able to takeoff. The UTM operates as a traffic regulator in the drone airspace and coordinates closely with the defense and civilian air traffic controllers to ensure that drones remain on the approved flight paths.
Before flying in controlled airspace, drone operators must file a flight plan and obtain Air Defence Clearance (ADC)/Flight Information Centre (FIC) permission.
The regulations also note the presence of no-drone zones around airports, near international borders, Vijay Chowk in Delhi, state secretariat complexes in state capitals, military installations and other strategic or vital locations.
Drones range in size from very small to those that can carry multiple kilograms of payload.
By Jagdish Kumar
India Correspondent | Mumbai
