Andhra Pradesh to Lead India’s Drone Revolution: CM Naidu Unveils Bold Vision at Amaravati Drone Summit 2024

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has unveiled ambitious plans to position the state as the “Drone Capital of India” at the Amaravati Drone Summit 2024 in Mangalagiri. In a significant announcement, Naidu revealed a dedicated 300-acre drone hub in Orvakal, Kurnool District, to make Andhra Pradesh the top destination for drone manufacturing, innovation, and research in India.

This visionary project is coupled with a large-scale plan to train 35,000 drone pilots, addressing the soaring demand for skilled professionals in sectors like agriculture, healthcare, traffic management, and disaster relief. "Drones will be instrumental in transforming these industries," Naidu emphasized, noting their recent use in delivering food and water during floods in Vijayawada.

The two-day summit also saw Naidu commit to rolling out a comprehensive drone policy within 15 days, designed to attract manufacturers and create a supportive ecosystem for drone startups. This policy will enable Andhra Pradesh to serve as a testing ground for innovative drone applications, with successful projects set to expand nationwide. He emphasized the potential of drones in law enforcement, stating that they would play a key role in monitoring and surveillance to enhance public safety.

Reflecting on his instrumental role in India’s IT revolution, Naidu shared insights from his launch of Hyderabad’s HiTech City and his collaborations with former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, which helped open India’s telecom sector to global giants like Microsoft. Drawing a parallel to today’s drone initiatives, Naidu said, “We once brought global tech giants to India; now, we’re doing the same with drones.”

The Chief Minister also commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, citing the positive impact of initiatives like JAM (Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, Mobile) and Ayushman Bharat in strengthening India’s digital and healthcare infrastructure. Naidu expressed confidence in Modi’s vision to propel India toward becoming the world’s third-largest economy by 2047.