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Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh Drone Corporation chairman and managing director (CMD) K. Dinesh Kumar on Thursday asserted that AP is determined to become the nation’s leading manufacturer of drones.
Addressing a roundtable conference in Vijayawada in which over 100 prominent industrialists and investors in drone and allied sectors participated, Dinesh Kumar announced that Andhra Pradesh will soon be home to India’s first and largest drone city, spread across a 300-acre site in Orvakal of Kurnool district. He disclosed that land acquisition has been completed and development works are set to begin shortly.
The drone corporation CMD highlighted Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu’s vision to make Andhra Pradesh as India’s drone capital.
He explained that the drone city in Orvakal will have comprehensive facilities for research, development, testing, manufacture and repairs of drones under one roof. The city is expected to generate 40,000 jobs.
Dinesh Kumar went on to predict that AP will host the world’s largest common drone testing facility. He said, “The decision to locate the drone city in Orvakal near Hyderabad has been widely welcomed. Several investors have already expressed their intention to set up drone manufacturing plants in the region.”
Regarding incentives for investors, the CMD said there will be seamless permissions and land allocation. With a global competitive edge in mind, facilities in AP will be created to rival drone manufacturing giants like China, Belgium and the United States.
Dinesh Kumar said the government is focused on developing a skilled workforce for the drone city. Specialised training programmes are being offered to students from engineering and polytechnic colleges, as well as to young talent eager to enter the drone industry. “Hands-on workshops are already underway in partnership with the Indian Institute of Information Technology, Design, and Manufacturing (IIITDM) in Kurnool,” he stated.
Regarding integration of drones in government services, the CMD made it clear that all state government departments will utilise drone technology to enhance service delivery, efficiency and accessibility. He said efforts are underway to educate government officials on potential uses of drones, while also exploring the integration of artificial intelligence and advanced technologies within the drone sector.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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