The drone PLI scheme which got the Cabinet approval yesterday will revolutionise the way business is conducted and impact many Indians and make their lives convenient.

Drones can be used not just for delivering essential medical supplies to key areas that are inaccessible by road but also agricultural produce can be directly supplied to nearby markets instead of letting them to rot.

The Cabinet approval would mark a significant investment in the drone industry. The drone sector could receivean investment of over Rs 5,000 crores in the next three years.

The Jyotiraditya Scindia-led Civil Aviation Ministry is buoyant about the growth trajectory in this sector, which is expected to generate 10,000 jobs in the next three years, sources said. The government has allocated Rs 120 crores over the next three financial years for drones and drone components. The incentives are there but what is evident is the urgency that the ministry is showing in getting private players and state governments on board to make haste in getting on board with deliverables.

Path planning for UAVs is a difficult task as the paths crisscross over military installations, marine areas, private offices, schools and the likes. The task for mapping paths especially insecure and no-fly zones has been given to state governments. Sources said that adequate safety measures would be put in place when algorithms are made keeping in mind the privacy of individuals and institutions. Law enforcement agencies will also be consulted when flight paths are put into place.

Besides the boom in jobs of drone pilots, jobs are also expected to open up in ancillary sectors such as ground control stations, air frame and propulsion systems making, communication and transponder sectors, cameras, sensors, agricultural spraying systems and the likes.

The Narendra Modi government intends to make India into a global drone hub by 2030. At present 90 per cent of the drones in India are imported. That is set to change within a year say sources. The civil aviation ministry has charted a path towards a “beyond Atmanirbhar” goal in the next three years, said Civil Aviation sources.

(With inputs from ANI)