The ICMR has partnered with IIT Kanpur for this project. Dr Samiran Panda, Scientist G and Head of the Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases division of the ICMR, said, “The purpose of the project is to deliver things through drones in cases where it may take a longer time to transport through roadways.” Panda said that they are yet to take a decision on whether ICMR and IIT Kanpur will take a pilot or a demonstration for this project, and indicated that in the coming days a decision will be taken in this regard.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation also accorded permission to the Telangana government for their ‘Medicine From the Sky’ project, which aims to deliver vaccines through drones. The permission has been given for drones which operates within the visual line of sight (VLOS) range. In the coming those involved in this project are hoping that they receive exemption for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations too.

“A feasibility study is being conducted to look at how delivery drones can be used to improve medical supply chains, followed by a pilot implementation in Telangana. The project includes a comprehensive study of drone–based deliveries for blood, vaccines, medical samples and long tail medicine,” said an expression of interest document released by the Information Technology, Electronics and Communications department of Government of Telangana.

According to a report the pilot will be taken up in remote areas of Adilabad and Karimnagar districts in Telangana. There is a major medical supply gap in these areas due to poor roads, difficult terrain and because routes are often washed out during monsoons.