Dehradun: Keeping in mind the increasing use of drone technology in the state, the information technology department has started its preparation to expand its scope. The department is under a plan to develop a drone corridor to link the state’s all the 13 districts with each other.
In the initial phase, the department has got permission to develop six drone corridors- three in Garhwal and three in Kumoan- in the state from the Director General of Civil Aviation. The drone corridors will be used for the transportation of essential items, besides making supplies of medicines.
Road is main source of transportation in hill parts
Since Uttarakhand is a hill state, it faces difficult geographical conditions. The main source of transportation is roads in the hill areas. However, there is no guarantee for good condition of the roads in the hill areas in different seasons. Sometimes, the roads remain in bad condition badly affecting the system. In such a situation, it becomes a difficult task for the administration to transport the essential items from one place to another.
So, the use of drone technology for making supplies of essential items as well as medicines will be helpful for the local people. In the hill areas, drone technology proves to be a powerful tool for such purposes.
Health department used drone technology in the past
The use of drone technology is not new for Uttarakhand. In the past, the state’s health department has successfully used drone technology to deliver vaccines, medicines, and blood bags from Dehradun to hilly Uttarkashi district. Earlier, only Dehradun to Uttarkashi route was approved as a drone corridor.
Focus on development of drone corridor
Keeping in mind the successful experiment of drone technology by the state’s health department, the information technology department has started giving focus to develop drone corridors to link all districts with each other. Drone services will be used for the emergency services. The Information Technology Development Authority is now focussing on the plan for the development of drone corridors in the state.