Kolkata: Skydiving show in Maidan may delay incoming flights tomorrow afternoon

Kolkata: Flights arriving at Kolkata airport during a 30-minute window on Saturday afternoon will be kept on hold and guided away from the Maidan to ensure that Indian Air Force paratroopers participating in a skydiving exercise don’t face any possible danger.

Initially scheduled on December 16 to commemorate Vijay Diwas that honours martyrs in the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, the programme was pushed back after chief of defence staff Bipin Rawat died in a helicopter crash on December 8. On Saturday, a scaled down event will be held with Akash Ganga, the IAF sky diving team, putting up a show.

An Mi-17 helicopter from Barrackpore will climb to an altitude of 10,000 ft over the Royal Calcutta Turf Club in the Maidan. The paratroopers will then leap out and attempt to land in a patch of green inside the race course.

This exercise will take place between 1.50pm and 2.20pm. During these 30 minutes, flights that are scheduled to arrive at Kolkata airport from the Rajarhat side will be kept on hold and asked to hover over the city while avoiding the airspace over and around the Maidan.

A notice to airmen (NOTAM) has been issued warning pilots that have flights approaching Kolkata airport on Saturday to steer clear of the exclusion zone and also be prepared to hold over Kolkata.

25/02/22 Subhro Niyogi & Tamaghna Banerjee/Times of India

Read More

Drones may soon deliver food, medicines and groceries in India

Super-fast delivery of food, groceries, medicines and other items via drones may start sooner than you think. After the Centre’s updated Drone Rules 2021, airborne deliveries may be rolled out in the coming months. See how >>

Read More

J&K: Drone movement observed near International Border in Arnia sector

New Delhi: A drone movement was observed near the International Border area on Thursday. According to the details, the drone movement was observed near RS Pura in the Arnia sector of Jammu and Kashmir.

The drone returned after the Border Security Force (BSF) fired several rounds. 

A search operation in the area is underway, the BSF confirmed. 

Nearly 10 days back, the Union Territory administration had asked those intending to fly drones in Jammu and Kashmir to share their details with the office of district magistrates concerned as well as the nearest police stations and compulsorily register themselves with the authorities.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has notified 'The Drone Rules, 2021' applicable to all persons owning or possessing or engaged in leasing, operating, transferring or maintaining unmanned aircraft systems in India.

"Through the medium of circular, it is impressed upon all intended operators of unmanned aircraft systems to ensure the compliance of 'the drone rules, 2021' in letter and spirit. Accordingly, the details of the same shall be shared with the office of concerned district magistrates of Jammu division as well as the nearest police station," Divisional Commissioner Jammu province Dr. Raghav Langar said in circular issued.

24/02/22 IndiaTV

Read More

Drones, laser beams prohibited near Delhi Airport for 2 more months

Delhi: The Delhi Police have prohibited the use of unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) and the use of laser beams near the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport for two more months. The decision has been taken in view of the serious security threat of a terrorist attack. It is also said to be hazardous for aviation safety. The area comes under the jurisdiction of the Sub-Division of Palam.

The present order will remain enforced for only two months, from February 12 till April 12. Currently, there are no rules and regulations to regulate the use of laser beams, especially in the open during night hours.

An order prohibiting these items from Delhi Police read that there have been frequent reports based on credible information that terrorists have plans to carry out terror attacks by using UAS including drones, para-gliders and hang-gliders, UAVs, aero-models. Therefore, its use by members of the public is prohibited.

Bijender Singh, Assistant Commissioner of Police, told TOI that incidents where pilots get distracted by laser beams when trying to land aircraft have been reported.

The presence of banquets, hotels, farm houses and restaurants in the area also uses a lot of lights in the area, including laser beams. This further leads to nuisance and visual distraction to pilots. It also poses a danger to the safety and security of passengers and the aircraft.

22/02/22 India Today

Read More

IP University, Aviation India collaborate to train students in drone, AI technology

New Delhi: The Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU) or IP University (IPU) is collaborating with Aviation India, an organisation that promotes aviation sports and championships in the country, to train students in drone and artificial intelligence (AI) training and to encourage the culture of computer science, youth affairs and sports in different sectors. AVIATION India is an integrated part of the Aviation and Space Federation for Universe.

An agreement signed between IP University and AVIATION India aims to facilitate students with opportunities to participate in national and international championships, and hence increase their career opportunities in drone technology and Artificial Intelligence, said a statement from IP University. 

22/02/22 Abhiraj P/Careers 360

Read More

Swiggy thinks drones, seeks proposals for delivery of groceries, other items

Your dream of getting food delivered via drones can finally come true! Online food delivery company Swiggy is inviting RFP (request for proposal) or bids from drone service providers for drone delivery of groceries and other essential items for an initial period of six months - a duration that may be amended from time to time, according to the company's LinkedIn post.

Swiggy has posted a request for proposal (RFP) or bids for the drone services effective from today (February 22, 2022) till March 2, 2022. The RFP and all related details are available on its website.

The company's drone delivery plans are likely to be middle-mile and B2B and will include extending operations across several locations including Mumbai, Delhi, National Capital Region (NCR), Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Goa.

According to an India Today report last year, Swiggy had collaborated ANRA Technologies for drone delivery. Interestingly, ANRA Technologies has received final clearances from the Ministry of Defence (MoD), the Directorate General of Aviation (DGCA), and the Ministry of Civil Aviation to commence trials for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations in India.

Talking about a whole new delivery mechanism, Shilpa Gnaneshwar, Principal Program Manager, Swiggy had said in a statement, “As a pioneer in investing in technology and logistics with a dedicated delivery fleet, Swiggy has built a robust presence in hyperlocal delivery moving beyond food to offer convenience to consumers. With an increasing number of technological innovations taking place to smoothen and fasten the last mile journey, it only becomes natural for us to explore the latest avenues available to maximize the benefit to our consumers. We are excited about the potential that Drones offer and look forward to the trials on BVLOS operations for the use case of food delivery. Through our association with ANRA, we aim to put the long-range proficiencies of drone technology to best use and accomplish some ground-breaking trials."

22/02/22 BusinessToday.in

Read More

As RIL looks to enter drone market, here are the big players in India

The drone market might be at a nascent stage in India, but it has already attracted the attention of the government and big corporations. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had said in her Union Budget speech that drone services will be promoted through support for startups and upskilling. The government has also already introduced several production-linked incentive schemes (PLIs) for the drone industry. Now, Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) is looking to carve out a share of the industry that is expected to grow to $2 billion in size. While RIL’s ambitions will take some years to yield fruit, here are the current major players in the drone market in India >>

Read More

TechEagle’s drone delivers -5 deg C medicines in Himachal Pradesh

TechEagle has partnered with govt of Himachal to conduct PoC for delivering medicines and vaccines from PHC to sub-center in Kullu district via Hybrid e-VTOL drone.

The project is aimed at improving the healthcare & supply chain in the state of Himachal Pradesh.

Mukesh Repaswal(IAS), Director, Department of Information Technology, Himachal Pradesh said “ The drone trials will help ascertain the advantages and benefits that Himachal can drive from use of drones and help the State plan areas of intervention for extensive utilisation of drones for provision of improved service delivery to its citizens. We are looking forward to working along with TechEagle in successful PoC/demonstration of advantages of drones in reaching to far flung and hard areas of the State.”

Vikram Singh Meena, founder & CEO of TechEagle said “Aerial routes are defying the limits of on-road transportations. With our made in India Hybrid e-VTOL Drone, we delivered medicines in Tirthan valley of Himachal from a Primary Health Center to Sub Center, Drone covered an aerial distance of 15km in less than 9 minutes, while the road transport takes more than one hour. We are building technology to make an incredible contribution in improving the supply chain. The utilization of drone technology is resolving issues plaguing modern healthcare including overcoming the barriers of COVID-19 vaccine delivery in far-flung areas.”

The project was carried out by TechEagle’s made in India Hybrid e-VTOL Drone. It is a Vertical Take- Off & Landing Vehicle that takes off vertically like a helicopter and converts itself automatically into fixed-wing (i.e. passenger aircraft) mode for travelling larger distances with greater speed and when it reaches the delivery locations, converts itself back to helicopter mode to land in a very small area of 5m*5m. In addition, it can be operated in most of the geographics and terrains.

11/02/22 ITLN

Read More

Ease of operating drones: Government abolishes remote pilot license

New Delhi: India has further relaxed rules for operating drones. “The requirement of a drone pilot licence has been abolished from Friday (Feb 11). The Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC) issued by a DGCA-approved drone school through the single window DigitalSky Platform shall be sufficient for operating a drone in India. No remote pilot certificate shall be required for operating a drone up to 2 kg for non-commercial purposes,” a senior aviation ministry official said.

Smit Shah of the Drone Federation of India said:” The Drone Rules 2021 released on August 25, 2021, have been amended. Conversion of DAN to UIN extended until March 31, 2022. Remote Pilot License is abolished. Remote Pilot Certificate issued by training school shall be sufficient for drone operations.

11/02/22 Saurabh Sinha/Times of India

Read More

Investing in India’s Drone Industry: Liberalized Rules, Production Incentives, Import Ban

The government wants to accelerate the development of India’s drone industry and turn the country into a drone hub by 2030. To this end, reforms for regulatory streamlining, production-linked incentives, and an import ban on drones (with the exception for R&D, defense and security purposes) have been introduced. Cumulatively, these policies aim to support the growth of an indigenous drone industry with manufacturing and IT-linked service capabilities.

Read how >>

Read More

Indian govt bans import of drones, provides certain exceptions

The government on Wednesday banned import of foreign drones with certain exceptions as part of efforts to promote domestic manufacturing of drones in the country. Import of drones for R&D, defence and security purposes have been exempted from the ban but such imports will require due clearances. "Import of drone components, however, shall not require any approvals," the civil aviation ministry said in a release on Wednesday.

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under the commerce and industry ministry has issued a notification banning the import of foreign drones. "Import policy for drones in CBU (Completely Built Up)/CKD (Completely Knocked Down)/SKD (Semi Knocked Down ) form... is prohibited with exceptions provided for R and D, defence and security purposes," DGFT said.

Import of drones by government entities, educational institutions recognised by central or state government, government recognised R&D entities and drone manufacturers for R&D purpose will be allowed in CBU, SKD or CKD form. This will be subject to import authorisation issued by DGFT in consultation with line ministries concerned.

Import of drones for defence and security purposes will be allowed in CBU, SKD or CKD form subject to import authorisation issued by DGFT in consultation with line ministries concerned.

The civil aviation ministry said that in order to promote Made in India drones, import of foreign drones has been prohibited with effect from February 9, 2022.

10/02/22 PTI/News Minute

Read More

Imported Drones Banned To Promote Made in India, With Exceptions

New Delhi: The government on Wednesday banned the import of foreign drones with certain exceptions as part of efforts to promote the domestic manufacturing of drones in the country.

The import of drones for R&D, defence and security purposes have been exempted from the ban but such imports will require due clearances.

"Import of drone components, however, shall not require any approvals," the civil aviation ministry said in a release on Wednesday.

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under the commerce and industry ministry has issued a notification banning the import of foreign drones.

"Import policy for drones in CBU (Completely Built Up)/CKD (Completely Knocked Down)/SKD (Semi Knocked Down ) form... is prohibited with exceptions provided for R and D, defence and security purposes," DGFT said.

Import of drones by government entities, educational institutions recognised by central or state government, the government recognised R&D entities and drone manufacturers for R&D purposes will be allowed in CBU, SKD or CKD form. This will be subject to import authorisation issued by DGFT in consultation with concerned line ministries.

Import of drones for defence and security purposes will be allowed in CBU, SKD or CKD form subject to import authorisation issued by DGFT in consultation with concerned line ministries.

The civil aviation ministry said that in order to promote Made in India drones, the import of foreign drones has been prohibited with effect from February 9, 2022.

The ministry came out with liberalised drone rules in August 2021.

09/02/22 PTI/NDTV

Read More

Farmers already using drones for spraying, experts wary of effects

Nagpur: Ramesh Patil (name changed), a farmer in Akola, says he has been successfully using drones for spraying pesticides for a year now. Patil, who has nearly 170 acres land, started using the flying machine after facing labour shortage.

His larger holding is one of the reasons for using drones, says the farmer not wishing to be named. Patil fears regulatory action, as he does not have any permission for aerial spraying.

He could afford to buy a drone, but Patil says there may not be many in Vidarbha using the technology.

In November, the government issued standard operating procedures for use of drones in the farm sector. The budget too gave a push. The ministry of agriculture has come up with a scheme to fund drones to farmer producers organizations, cooperatives and entrepreneurs.

Much before the measures were declared, a section of farmers in the state had already started using drones.

Saurabh Ghewari in Pandharpur town of Solapur assembles drones. Ghewari says he has sold 10 drones so far and there are orders for three. Out of those sold, six were in Western Maharashtra. “There is great demand from sugarcane growers in Sangli and Kolhapur districts. There are other suppliers too,” he says.

Prospective drone operators are directed to institutes approved by Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Institutes not having DGCI approval provide training but not a certificate, says a source.

Patil sys he has himself learnt to operate the drone.

As some farmers are already using drones, there are mixed views among agro-chemical industry stakeholders and activists. Use of drones is expected to increase pesticide consumption, say sources.

08/02/22 Shishir Arya/Times of India

Read More

Nagpur police extends ban on drones above RSS HQ, vital sites like airport till Mar 31

Nagpur: The ban on flying of drones above the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh headquarters and other vital installations in Nagpur city was extended till March 31 on Tuesday, an official said.

The order was issued under section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) by Joint Commissioner of Police Aswati Dorje.

It said flying activities of 'Non-Conventional Aerial Objects', including drones, remote controlled or remotely piloted aircraft and aircraft systems, para-gliders, aero-models and parachute related activities will not be allowed within a 3-kilometre radius from the perimeter of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport, Headquarter Maintenance Command, Indian Air Force, Vayusena Nagar, and within a 2-kilometre radius of RSS headquarters in Mahal.

Drones can be flown with the written permission of Deputy Commissioner of Police, Special Branch, and those violating the diktat will be booked under section 188 of IPC, the order added.

01/02/22 PTI/India Today

Read More

Drones get a major lift this budget for agriculture & other sectors

New Delhi: Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her Budget speech on Tuesday said that this fiscal’s revised estimate of capital expenditure (Rs 6.03 lakh crore) includes an amount of Rs 51,971 crore towards the settlement of “outstanding guaranteed liabilities of Air India and its other sundry commitments.”

The total budgetary support to AI and AI Asset Holding Limited (AIAHL) in FY 21-22 is Rs 62,057 crore. AIAHL had raised EBRs by issuing fully serviced (by government) bonds of upto Rs 7,000 crore in FY 2019-20 to refinance AIs debt transferred to AIAHL.

Meanwhile, the Union Budget has paved the way for using drones in various sectors, including agriculture. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said “use of ‘kisan drones’ will be promoted for crop assessment, digitisation of land records, spraying of insecticides, and nutrients… Startups will be promoted to facilitate ‘drone shakti’ through varied applications and for drone-As-A-Service (DrAAS). In select ITIs, in all states, the required courses for skilling will be started.”

Listing it among “sunrise opportunities”, the FM added: “Artificial intelligence, geospatial systems and drones, semiconductor and its eco-system… have immense potential to assist sustainable development at scale and modernise the country. They provide employment opportunities for youth, and make Indian industry more efficient and competitive.”

Thanking the FM “for giving a boost, yet again, to the drone sector through drone shakti and kisan drones,”, Union aviation minister J M Scindia tweeted, “Drone as a service will be a key driver of growth for both, the drone industry and beneficiary sectors.”

Arc Ventures MD Arjun Aggarwal said the announcements “will not only encourage India's atmanirbar drone eco-system, but also is critical for ensuring our agriculture sector remains globally competitive.”

“Through this budget, the government has enabled the drone ecosystem to take off by offering a structured impetus promoting both Atmanirbhar Bharat and the adoption of UAV's across sectors. Complimenting these announcements were many pre-budget initiatives such as production linked incentives for drone manufacturers, 100% subsidy on purchase of drones by recognised agriculture institutes & low interest loans for farmers to access modern technologies.”

01/02/22 Saurabh Sinha/Times of India

Read More