Goa Becomes 3rd State in India to Release Drone Policy

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or unmanned aircraft systems (UASs), usually referred to as 'drones', are small aircraft that can fly remotely. Key economic sectors like mining, surveillance, emergency response, transportation, geospatial mapping, law enforcement, aerial photography, filmmaking, and especially the agriculture sector can all benefit from the use of drones.

Recently, the Goa Drone Policy was announced by the state administration, making it the third state in the nation to do so in an effort to turn it into a drone manufacturing powerhouse.

The state government through the recently framed policy wants to establish the state as a major player in India's drone industry. Additionally, it aims to support and encourage drone design, manufacturing, testing, and maintenance facilities, as well as training, making Goa a center for drone production.

Situated at the coastline stretching along the Arabian Sea, Goa happens to be a popular tourist destination, and hence, the strategy aims to deploy drones for the delivery of citizen services, governance, and the tourism sector. In Addition, the administration also wishes to study the use of unmanned aerial vehicles in agriculture, forestry, horticulture, mining, and security.

Provisions of Goa Drone Policy 

The Drone Policy establishes free-fly zones inside the state that can be used by drone enthusiasts, businesses, and educational institutions in order to encourage drone testing and adoption.

The state administration of Goa intends to seize the chance to attract investment and create employment by recognizing the potential of the drone industry and working to entice drone companies to Goa.

Further, the state's IT department has also established a 3D printing facility or additive manufacturing hub that entrepreneurs and start-ups may utilize to create prototypes quickly.

If reports are to be believed, the IT department wants to develop the idea of a 'design village', which would comprise product engineering, design, and testing for any electronics or developing technology.