Hans News Service Vijayawada

Thestate government has designated the AP Drones Corporation (APDC) as the exclusive nodal agency for all drone-related activities in Andhra Pradesh, centralising planning, execution and regulation under a single authority.

The decision aligns with the State’s Drone Policy 4.0 (2024–29), which aims to expand the use of unmanned aerial systems across sectors such as agriculture, logistics, surveillance, mapping, infrastructure monitoring and disaster management.

Under the new orders, all government departments, district administrations, public sector undertakings and local bodies must route their drone-related requirements through APDC at every stage, from project conceptualisation to implementation. The corporation will oversee vendor empanelment, technical evaluation, execution and operational coordination.

APDC will also act as the central procurement agency for drones and related services, ensuring standardisation and compliance with government procedures. It has been authorised to receive advance payments of up to 90 per cent of the estimated project cost from user departments for executing drone services.

In addition, the corporation will spearhead capacity-building efforts by coordinating with DGCA-authorised Remote Pilot Training Organisations (RPTOs), academic institutions and other stakeholders to strengthen the drone ecosystem in the State.

APDC will also facilitate regulatory clearances by working closely with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and other authorities to ensure adherence to national drone rules and airspace regulations.

To support its operations, the government has approved a service charge structure: 5 per cent for projects below Rs 50 lakh, 3.75 per cent for projects between Rs 50 lakh and Rs 1 crore, and 2.5 per cent for projects above Rs 1 crore.

Officials said the move is expected to streamline drone adoption, improve efficiency in public service delivery and position Andhra Pradesh as a leader in drone-driven governance.