(a) the details of number of drones being used by the Government along with the number of drones proposed to be used; and
(b) the details of the funds allocated and utilised in this regard during last year and the current year, Statewise?
(a) the details of number of drones being used by the Government along with the number of drones proposed to be used; and
(b) the details of the funds allocated and utilised in this regard during last year and the current year, Statewise?
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD))
(a) & (b) As on 30 Nov 2021 the total number of drones for which Drone Acknowledgement Numbers (DAN) have been issued is 29,459. Of these, 888 drones are owned by Government entities.
As per the provisions of the Drone Rules, 2021 an airspace map of the country segregating the entire airspace into red, yellow and green is published on the online DigitalSky platform on 24 September 2021. Operation of drones in red and yellow zones is subject to permission from the Central Government and concerned Air Traffic Control authority respectively.
No approval is required for operation of drones in green zones which means the airspace upto a vertical distance of 400 feet that has not been designated as a red or yellow zone and the airspace upto a vertical distance of 200 feet above the area located between a lateral distance of 8 to 12 kilometre from the perimeter of an operational airport. Most of the drone operations happen in the green zone.
Till 15 Dec 2021, six Government entities have been given permission under Drone Rules, 2021 to conduct various drone activities in red and yellow zones which are as under:
(i) Indian Council of Medical Research
(ii) National Aerospace Laboratories
(iii) Airport Director, Calicut
(iv) Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay
(v) Tamil Nadu Institute of Urban Studies
(vi) Department of Information Technology, Himachal Pradesh
Ministry of Civil Aviation has not allocated any funds for use of drones.
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