Let it fly

Union Minister Jayant Sinha’s statement that the Civil Aviation Ministry will soon release the much-delayed drone policy — the Civil Aviation Requirements or CAR — is expected to give a fillip to an industry that has huge growth potential but is dogged by hazy laws and policy paranoia. Drones — a military invention that later became popular in civilian sectors — are now used widely in many areas including construction, agriculture, insurance, mining, media and policing, propelling growth and innovation. Start-up activity has already picked up in India’s ₹2,000 crore-plus drone market, with over a dozen companies developing cutting-edge unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and drone-based solutions, which have attracted keen investor interest. According to a study by Goldman Sachs, globally, drones offer a $100 billion business opportunity by 2020.

However, players aren’t too impressed with last year’s draft policy, which doesn’t spell out the Centre’s intent clearly and has several grey areas regarding controls over the use of drones for even basic civilian purposes like hobby-flying or education . In November last year, the Centre imposed curbs on the use of drones in the country, directing that all drones must be registered with local law enforcement authorities. The Civil Aviation Ministry had categorised drones into five types based on their weight, starting at less than 250 gm and up to over 150 kg. This had caused a lot of turbulence and confusion in the sector causing a drop in the use of drones even for recreation, since even tiny, recreational drones will now have to obtain clearance from the Home Ministry and an unique identification number. The upcoming drone policy should shed the paranoia over drones and instead boost innovation and investment. The categorisation of drones should be more broad-based so that end-users, developers and law-enforcement authorities are not confused. There should be a clear distinction between regulations covering the use of drones in thickly-populated urban areas and rural areas. Proper controls that respect and safeguard citizens’ privacy and safety are welcome but unnecessary strictures, like the one requiring remote pilots of even micro and mini drones to hold the equivalent of a private pilot’s licence, will only ground an industry with a lot of growth potential.

Drones have captured popular imagination thanks to their extensive use in photography, fire-fighting, aerial surveys, weather forecasting and construction. Nearly 50,000 drones fly in India’s skies now. India accounts for the highest share of import of UAVs — over 22 per cent. The new policy should enhance this momentum, not disrupt it.

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