The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has released a revised draft of proposed rules for operating civilian drones.
Public comments have been invited and a final draft after incorporating suggestions is expected by the year end.
What are the highlights?
An earlier draft faced criticism for proposing a very complicated and restrictive set of rules that was also difficult to enforce.
The new draft has relaxed many of these and is more in line with the ground realities.
According to the weight, drones have been divided into five categories, with different specifications for each.
Lightweights - The lightest two categories - Nano (up to 250 grams) and Micro (up to 2 kgs of takeoff weight), may be operated without the operator possessing an ‘Unmanned Aircraft Operator Permit’ – UAOP.
Also, these smaller UAVs don’t require a unique identification number (UIN), provided they are operated within 200 metres.
Larger vehicles – These will have to possess UIN and their operators will need a permit.
Flight plans will have to be filed and import licences for larger drones will be granted on merit, depending on the purpose.
What are the relaxations?
Commercial use of drones for photography, doorstep delivery and even passenger transport (large UAVs) could be allowed too.
The need to get home ministry’s clearance for flight routes 80 days in advance has been done away with.
Restrictions placed on areas where ‘UAVs may not be operated’ have also been relaxed.
What are the drawbacks?
Flights are not going to be permitted within 500 metres of designated sensitive installations, within 50 km of borders or more than 500 metres offshore.
As many installations are classified as sensitive, this is still very restrictive and it will make commercial operations difficult.
Civilian use of drones for hobby and commercial purposes is already common and multiple types are available.
The cheapest ones cost Rs 1,200-1,500 and a smart middle-school student can assemble and programme it.
As permissions are still a little tedious, they run the risk of being ignored.
How does the future look?
The civilian use of drones is expected to proliferate and the years with increased commerciality and better regulations.
UAV ambulances have been successfully deployed in several countries and its advantages are obvious.
UAVs are also used in disaster management, for surveys and mapping, monitoring of power lines, ports and pipelines.
Commercial photography, crop spraying and gathering of weather data are also aspects that have potential.
Concerns - There are indeed multiple associated safety, security and privacy concerns.
These must be addressed in a pragmatic and rational fashion by flexible regulations that can adapt to new technologies.
The new draft is an improvement but it does not go far enough.
