E-commerce deliveries using drones are certainly going to be possible in India. Companies like Amazon and Flipkart can make airborne deliveries of its products to its customers, thanks to new draft of policies being developed by country's aviation sector, a minister announced on Thursday.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Wednesday invited public comments on the draft rules on use of drones, including for commercial purposes, which the aviation regulator hopes to finalize by the year-end. Drones have been classified under five categories based on their weight.
The draft regulations - arrived at after discussions with stakeholders - would be placed in the public domain for a month to seek comments and suggestions, after which the rules would be finalized, Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju told the media in New Delhi.
"By December 31, we will be in a position to come up with the final regulatory framework for the use of drones," Civil Aviation Secretary R.N. Choubey added.
Under the draft rules issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), drones have been classified into five categories based on maximum take-off weight: nano (up to 250g), micro (251g to two kg), mini (2kg to 25kg), small (25kg to 150kg) and large (over 150kg).
To recall, Amazon had already filed patent for delivery drones in India, in last month only.
Notably, the commercial drone license, which will be given to e-commerce companies in India like Amazon and Flipkart, will have all but nano category and will be registered by the DGCA, which will issue it a Unique Identification Number.
Related Reading - Chinese E-Commerce Giant Builds The World’s Biggest Delivery Drone
A Civil Aviation Ministry statement said that mini and above categories will require Unmanned Aircraft Operator Permit while model aircraft up to 2kg flown below 200 feet inside educational institution premises will not require permit or identification number.
Noting the various uses of drone technology in areas like oil and gas prospecting, agriculture and in taking pictures, Minister of Civil Aviation said use of drones as "air rickshaws" for travelling around a 100-km radius could be a viable proposition.
The above development was first reported at Gadgets 360.
In 2014, an unmanned drone was used to deliver a pizza to a flat in a high rise in Worli in Central Mumbai. The local police, however, described it as an unauthorized flight in violation of rules.
Noting that, the govt has brought in this all new National Civil Aviation Policy to allow e-commerce and niche companies deliver their products using unmanned vehicles or drones.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Wednesday invited public comments on the draft rules on use of drones, including for commercial purposes, which the aviation regulator hopes to finalize by the year-end. Drones have been classified under five categories based on their weight.
The draft regulations - arrived at after discussions with stakeholders - would be placed in the public domain for a month to seek comments and suggestions, after which the rules would be finalized, Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju told the media in New Delhi.
"By December 31, we will be in a position to come up with the final regulatory framework for the use of drones," Civil Aviation Secretary R.N. Choubey added.
Under the draft rules issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), drones have been classified into five categories based on maximum take-off weight: nano (up to 250g), micro (251g to two kg), mini (2kg to 25kg), small (25kg to 150kg) and large (over 150kg).
To recall, Amazon had already filed patent for delivery drones in India, in last month only.
Notably, the commercial drone license, which will be given to e-commerce companies in India like Amazon and Flipkart, will have all but nano category and will be registered by the DGCA, which will issue it a Unique Identification Number.
Related Reading - Chinese E-Commerce Giant Builds The World’s Biggest Delivery Drone
A Civil Aviation Ministry statement said that mini and above categories will require Unmanned Aircraft Operator Permit while model aircraft up to 2kg flown below 200 feet inside educational institution premises will not require permit or identification number.
Noting the various uses of drone technology in areas like oil and gas prospecting, agriculture and in taking pictures, Minister of Civil Aviation said use of drones as "air rickshaws" for travelling around a 100-km radius could be a viable proposition.
The above development was first reported at Gadgets 360.
In 2014, an unmanned drone was used to deliver a pizza to a flat in a high rise in Worli in Central Mumbai. The local police, however, described it as an unauthorized flight in violation of rules.
Noting that, the govt has brought in this all new National Civil Aviation Policy to allow e-commerce and niche companies deliver their products using unmanned vehicles or drones.
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