Surveyor General Makwana : Madhya Pradesh is the leading state in the use of drone technology

Surveyor General Makwana : Madhya Pradesh is moving towards becoming a leader in drone technology under the guidance of Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav. To develop a strong ecosystem for drone technology in the state and to discuss drone policy, a workshop was organized on Monday at Kushabhau Thackare Auditorium on ‘Use of drones in governance and development of drone ecosystem in Madhya Pradesh’. Wide-ranging applications of drone technology were discussed in the workshop. Surveyor General of India Shri Hitesh Kumar Makwana, Additional Chief Secretary Science and Technology Shri Sanjay Dubey, and Managing Director  Shri Ashish Vashishtha inaugurated the workshop. On this occasion, Drone Center information portal drone.mp.gov.in was also launched.

Surveyor General Makwana said that India has made significant progress in drone technology in the last six years. From their initial limited use to their widespread use today, drones have emerged as versatile tools. The Government of India has made a drone policy for the widespread use of drone technology. Madhya Pradesh is a leading state in the use of drone technology. The state has made a special achievement by using drone technology to implement the Swamitva Yojana. Drone technology is efficient, accessible, and a low-cost technology.

Shri Sanjay Dubey said that the Central Government has set a target of developing an ecosystem based on drone technology, In this, necessary rules, licensing procedures, period of operation, etc. have been prescribed for the operation of drones. Considering this policy inspiring, Madhya Pradesh is working for the practical and beneficial use of drones at the regional level. He said that we aim to develop a strong and holistic ecosystem in the state. When we talk about drones, it is not just a flying camera but a game-changing technology that is capable of providing services at different levels. There is a possibility of widespread application of this technology in the state, which will provide better facilities to the citizens. We aim to develop such an ecosystem through which drones can be widely used in various fields. This initiative will play an important role in realizing Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make-in-India vision. We aim to develop drone technology and also set up manufacturing units in the state.

Shri Ashish Vashishtha said that today drone technology is being widely used in the agriculture sector. Effective mining is being monitored with the help of drones in the mining area. Also, drones play an important role in providing medical facilities in emergency situations. Drone technology is also being used in excise, law & order, and construction activities. Our objective is to make Madhya Pradesh the drone hub of the country.

President of Drone Federation of India, Shri Smit Shah said that drones have a transformative role in business expansion in urban and rural areas. He said that drones are being used extensively through initiatives like NaMo Drone Didi. The use of drone technology is not just an option but it is a necessity of the future. NABARD GM Shri Qamar Javed said that remarkable work has been done in drone technology in Madhya Pradesh. Like cooperative institutions, the use of drones can be increased in PACS societies also. FICCI Drone Committee Co-Chairman and CEO Shri Ankit Mehta said that drone technology is very useful in maintaining law & order and in surveillance areas. Drones with their multifunctional utility are promoting innovations and reshaping future technology.

Sessions organized on various topics of drone technology

In the workshop, sessions were organized on various topics of drone technology. The current use and future widespread use of drone technology was discussed on the topic Drone Policy and Industry Initiative. Information was given on the use of drones in business sectors on the topic Drone Case Studies. Information was given on the topic of drone start-up and skill development and a detailed discussion was also held on the drone policy draft.

On this occasion, a drone-centric information portal was also launched which will be helpful in integrating information related to drone technology, policy and training. Surveyor General Makwana ,An exhibition based on drone technology was also organized, in which the latest uses of drone technology were on display. On this occasion, MPSEDC Project Director Shri Guru Prasad, Additional Project Director Dr. Sandeep Goyal, Project Manager Shri Anoop Patel, Senior General Manager Shri Kaviraj Mehra along with officers and employees of MPSEDC, Survey of India DGCA, IIT Indore, Drone Federation of India, NABARD, heads of all departments of Madhya Pradesh Government including heads of drone industry like Idea Forge, Asteria Aerospace etc., representatives, Drone Didis and students of technical education were present.