Tamil Nadu Plans Commercial Drone Corridors Across 10 Districts to Boost Delivery and Agriculture
Tamil Nadu is set to establish commercial drone corridors in 10 districts, enhancing delivery services and agricultural practices.
Chennai, November 14 (Daily Kiran) : Tamil Nadu is embarking on an ambitious plan to create commercial drone corridors across ten districts. These corridors will allow specific operations without prior police approval, facilitating tasks such as delivery, spraying in agriculture, and monitoring construction activities.
The initiative, outlined in a vision document from the state’s higher education department, aims to promote the commercial use of drones and develop a market for locally manufactured devices. Within these designated corridors, work related to disaster management will also be permitted.
Dheeraj Kumar, the secretary of higher education, noted that the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) will collaborate on implementing this initiative, which falls under the industrial department.
The primary goal of these corridors is to streamline processes for operators engaged in approved activities. Farmers will be able to use drones for spraying fertilizers and pesticides, while companies can utilize them for goods delivery and overseeing construction projects.
A key aspect of the proposal mandates that locally produced drones must be used for agricultural tasks under police supervision. This requirement is expected to encourage the adoption of this technology and boost domestic production.
K. Senthil Kumar, director of the Centre for Aerospace Research at Anna University, emphasized that the proposed corridors will create new business opportunities for drone manufacturers and technology firms. He stated, “These corridors will assist local drone startups in moving beyond prototype development to exploring commercial applications.”
Tamil Nadu already boasts training facilities and institutional support that can provide a solid foundation for this program. The drone pilot training center at Anna University’s Madras Institute of Technology (MIT) campus has trained nearly 6,000 pilots to date.
The state drone corporation, operating under the higher education department, is also promoting the use of drones across various sectors. Alongside the corridor proposal, Anna University is preparing to initiate drone trials at the Chettinad Aeronautical Aviation Hub in Kanadukathan, with TIDCO granting theoretical approval for the university to utilize this airfield.
These trials will primarily focus on “Beyond Visual Line of Sight” (BVLOS) operations, where drones fly beyond the pilot’s direct view. Such flights will rely on communication, navigation, and surveillance systems for control.
The proposed corridors and planned trials aim to expand opportunities for drone usage. The state’s existing trained pilots and research facilities will be instrumental in this effort. This initiative envisions a broader role for drones in everyday business activities, agriculture, and public services, while also providing local manufacturers with a chance to bring their products into practical use.
