By : Satyaki Paul
On March 12, 2021 the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) proposed an update for the Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Rules through the draft Drone Rules, 2021. The draft drone policy is available here: https://www.civilaviation.gov.in/sites/default/files/Draft_Drones_Rules_14_Jul_2021.pdf. This policy is available for public commenting up to August 05, 2021.
The new rules observe that, operating drones without Unique Identification Number(UIDN) will not be permitted, unless excused by proper authorities of the region. So, the drone operatives will have to create a Unique Identification Number (UIDN) of a drone by providing necessaryspecifics on the digital sky platform (MoCA initiative to provide a secure and a scalable platform that supports drone technology frameworks). The digital sky platform includes NPNT (no permission, no take-off) framework. This is designed to permit flight authorization digitally and handlingUnmanned Aircraft Vehicles (UAV)operations and air traffic proficiently.
The draft Drone Rules, 2021 also have safety features such as real-time tracking beacon, and geo-fencing, which are expected to be reported in future and a 6-month lead time will be provisioned for amenability. In due course, acommunicating airspace map with created which will have green, yellow, and red zones for charting flight course. This will be displayed on the digital sky platform.
However, the yellow zone has been reduced from 45 km to 12 km from adjacent airport perimeters, no flight permission is required up to 400 feet in green zones and up to 200 feet in the area between 8 and 12 km from the airport perimeter. But for operating such UAV no pilot licence will be essential for micro drones used for non-commercial use, nano drones and for Research and Development (R&D) organizations using such drones. So, as a conclusion such amending rules can be viewed as an aftermath of recent drone attack on Jammu Air Force station. But these rules have several positive aspects also wherein the new rule will facilitate development of drone corridors for cargo deliveries and a drone promotion council will be set up to facilitate a business-friendly regulatory regime. Thus, balancing security and the benefits of such technology is the need-of-the-hour which is thoroughly looked in to by the Union Government by introducing such rules. However, it should be also kept in mind that Anti-drone technology is also essential in such context as because taking down rogue drones shall also be a requirement. The safety of the citizens should be also of utmost importance as security concerns must not be compromised in the name of modernisation.