The Delhi government is likely to seek Cabinet approval for its proposed drone policy within the next month, with the plan expected to create more than 1,000 jobs in the city, Information Technology Minister Pankaj Singh said on Saturday.

The policy, being prepared by the Delhi government’s IT department, aims to promote the safe and regulated use of drones while building a stronger drone ecosystem in the national capital.

Singh said the policy is ready and will focus on creating employment opportunities along with developing infrastructure for drone-related activities. The proposed policy includes plans to establish drone research clusters, dedicated flight-testing facilities and centres of excellence. The government is also considering subsidies and state GST reimbursements to support businesses and research in the sector.

Officials said the policy will also focus on preventing the misuse of drones and improving coordination with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s (DGCA) Digital Sky platform. The government is planning to allocate a separate budget for implementing the policy and developing the required infrastructure.

Drones are expected to be used for several government functions, including policing, disaster management, surveillance, mapping and traffic management. The policy will also explore the use of drones in sectors such as real estate, telecommunications and media.

Officials noted that nearly 60 per cent of Delhi is currently classified as a no-drone zone because of the presence of VIP installations and other sensitive areas. The proposed policy will take these restrictions into account while determining where and how drones can be operated.

As part of its focus on building skills, the government is also considering drone awareness programmes in schools, remote pilot training organisations (RPTOs), pilot training projects and specialised centres for research and innovation.

Earlier this year, the Delhi government formed a committee headed by the IT department secretary to examine the feasibility of introducing a dedicated drone policy for the city.

The proposed framework is expected to cover safety measures, public awareness, enforcement, zoning and signage, sensitisation workshops and standard operating procedures for counter-drone operations. The policy is aimed at creating a regulated environment for drone operations while encouraging research, investment, skill development and employment opportunities in Delhi’s growing drone sector.

(With Inputs from PTI)