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Chief Minister announces The Drone Promotion and Usage Policy

Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel takes an important step in the direction making government services-public services effective-efficient-fast with the use of advanced technology

Government of Gujarat is adopting ‘Ease of Living’ approach to ensure maximum benefits of technological progress for citizens in this tech-governed decade under PM Shri Modi

25000 direct and indirect employment generation in the drone service ecosystem

Drone manufacturers, users, pilots, co-pilots have to register on Digital Sky platform and get UIN

Demarcation area declared by DGCA in the drone air space map to be followed

Drone infrastructure training will be promoted for availability of qualified manpower in the field of drone technology

Gujarat Police to investigate cases of drone traffic regulation-occurrence of accidents-violation-use of drones for criminal activity

The various departments of the state government will define the planning programs to promote the use of drones in their respective functional areas within 6 months

An empowered committee of 8 senior secretaries to be led by Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department for implementation of this policy

Gandhinagar, Wednesday: Gujarat has taken a novel step towards making various public services including government services more effective, popular and efficient and faster with the use of advanced technology. Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel has announced Gujarat’s ambitious ‘The Drone Promotion and Usage’ policy for this purpose.

Under the leadership and guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the state government is committed to make the ‘Ease of Living’ easier by reaching the maximum benefit of technological progress in this decade of technology. Along with making such services more accessible to the public, the state government has also announced the approach of creating new opportunities for job creation through the drone ecosystem in this ‘Drone Promotion and Uses Policy’.

The police force in Gujarat currently has a fleet of drones in operation and is used for law enforcement. Drones were extensively used during the recent Rath Yatra. Not only this, the Industries and Mines Department has also launched ‘Trinetra’ drones to control illegal mining activities. Considering the vast potential and scale of drones’ global reach, the Gujarat government has announced this policy for the promotion and use of drones.

Chief Principal Secretary Shri K. Kailashnathan, Chief Secretary Shri Pankaj Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary Home Department Shri Rajkumar and Director General of Police Ashish Bhatia were present during the launch of the policy.

eBook (PDF) : Drone Policy

Features of the policy announced by the Chief Minister-

The tenure of this policy announced by Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel has been kept for five years.
Among the goals set out in this Drone Promotion and Usage Policy
Building a vibrant drone ecosystem including manufacturing and innovation by promoting the use of drones for delivery of services and increasing efficiency in the state.
To create thousands of direct and indirect employment by increasing employment opportunities in the drone service ecosystem.
Encouraging young talent for innovation
The Chief Minister has also shown the attitude of engaging young talent for innovations so that young talents can showcase their skills and potential in the field of drone technology.
For this purpose, organization of Hackathon and Grand Challenge will be promoted in collaboration with Startup Gujarat Cell of various Government Departments, reputed organizations and Industry Commissioner Office to work on the problem statement.
The winning solutions of such planning will be awarded or given an opportunity to start pilot projects with the concerned departments.
The respective departments of the State Government will give preference to Startups, Make in India companies, Micro and Small Enterprises to showcase their services and products as per the procurement policy.
Under the Drone Promotion and Uses Policy announced by the state government, various departments, public sector undertakings and boards, organizations will formulate plans and programs to promote the use of drones in their respective areas of operation within 6 months.

The departments which are going to use drones in their respective work areas are as follows-

Home Department:- Crowd Management, Vital Installation Security, VVIP Security, Border and Coastal Security, Disaster Management, Security of Major Events and Processions, Search Operations, Traffic Management

Department of Agriculture, Farmers Welfare and Cooperation:- Spraying of Pesticides, Fertilizer Application, Seed Sowing, Soil Quality Monitoring, Survey of Soil Erosion

Commissioner of Geology and Mining, Department of Industries and Mines:-Surveillance of mining areas for geology and mining, prevention of illegal mining, survey of mineral leases and blocks.

Department of Energy and Petrochemicals:- Monitoring of oil and natural gas pipelines, monitoring of power lines, securing onshore and offshore assets

Department of Labour, Skill Development and Employment:-Pilot and user training.

Health and Family Welfare Department:- Medical supplies and delivery of blood

Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority:-Rescue and Relief

Department of Urban Development:-Urban land use planning, sanitation survey

Irrigation Department:-Maintenance of reservoirs and irrigation canals

Forest Department:-Lion Counting, Wildlife Tracking, Mapping and Monitoring, Ecological Audit, Prevention of Poaching

Gujarat Pollution Control Board:- Monitoring of Emissions

Revenue Department:- GIS based survey and mapping of survey numbers

Roads and Buildings Department:-estimation of repair work, monitoring of ongoing projects etc.

Source: Information Department, Gujarat