Amaravati – In a bold move to position Andhra Pradesh as a leader in drone technology, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu announced plans to develop the state into a global hub for drone innovation and manufacturing. Speaking at the inaugural session of the Amaravati Drone Summit 2024, Naidu detailed the state government’s intentions to unveil a comprehensive drone policy and establish a dedicated drone manufacturing and testing park.
To facilitate this initiative, Naidu declared the allocation of 300 acres of land in Orvakallu, Kurnool district, for the development of the drone hub. “Amaravati will become the drone capital of India, and Andhra Pradesh will lead the way in drone technology,” he stated, highlighting the potential for significant advancements in manufacturing, innovation, and research within the sector.
The Chief Minister outlined an ambitious plan to train 35,000 drone pilots, transforming the state into a human resource center for drone technology. This initiative aims to create a skilled workforce ready to meet the growing demand for drones across various industries. Within the next 15 days, Naidu promised to unveil a detailed drone policy designed to create a business-friendly environment for manufacturers and innovators.
Naidu invited stakeholders to utilize Andhra Pradesh as a pilot testing ground for drone projects, which could be scaled up statewide and replicated nationally if successful. Emphasizing the importance of data in today’s technological landscape, he remarked, “Data is the real wealth that will be crucial for the country and industry,” noting that a staggering 400 million terabytes of data are generated daily. He stressed that the integration of this data with AI holds immense potential for driving unprecedented innovations.
The Chief Minister acknowledged the rise of the knowledge economy, driven by AI, machine learning, and cloud technologies. He asserted, “With the flexibility of operations and accuracy of data, drones, AI, and other emerging technologies will help Andhra Pradesh, and India as a whole, lead the world in the knowledge economy.” Naidu firmly believes that drone technology will be a game changer for the future.
Citing recent instances of drone utilization, Naidu shared how drones played a crucial role in relief operations during the floods in Vijayawada, where they were used to deliver food and water to affected residents. He underscored the potential of drones in agriculture, infrastructure, and urban traffic management, saying, “Some countries are using drones in wars. We are using them for development.”
The Chief Minister also highlighted the role of drones in maintaining law and order, stating, “Using drones, we can keep a tab on the movements of rowdy sheeters and monitor their activities.” He reminisced about his early efforts in developing the IT sector in Hyderabad when he first became chief minister in 1995, noting that HITEC City was established under a public-private partnership model.
Minister for Civil Aviation Rammohan Naidu, who also spoke at the summit, emphasized that India has emerged as a global leader in drone technology, fueled by innovation, policy reforms, and robust industry partnerships. He noted that 132 remote pilot training organizations have been established, resulting in the issuance of 17,600 remote pilot certificates and the certification of 81 different drone models.
Rammohan Naidu revealed that the government has banned the import of drones to encourage domestic startups to innovate in the drone sector. “We want the people of this country to manufacture drones and inspire young minds to develop indigenous solutions,” he said. He also mentioned the liberalization of the drone rules in 2021 to promote operations, research and development, and investment.
With 26,500 drones already registered in the country, he highlighted the vast potential for growth, noting that India aims to register one lakh drones. Through the Drone Didi program, the government is training 30,000 women as drone pilots for agricultural applications.
The Amaravati Drone Summit 2024 is bringing together key stakeholders from the drone industry, including government officials, technology innovators, and industry leaders, to discuss advancements in drone technology, industry trends, and collaborative opportunities. This two-day event marks a significant step toward establishing Andhra Pradesh as a front-runner in the evolving field of drone technology.