VIJAYAWADA, OCT 22 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced the allocation of 300 acres of land in Orvakallu, Kurnool District, for the development of a drone hub.

Addressing the Amaravati Drone Summit 2024, the CM said “Amaravati will become the drone capital of India, and Andhra Pradesh will lead the way in drone technology,” he declared. The initiative aims to boost drone manufacturing, innovation, and research in the state.

Addressing the audience including innovators, drone manufacturers, and experts, he outlined how these innovations would drive the state’s growth and keep Andhra Pradesh at the forefront of technology-driven development

He also announced a plan to train 35,000 drone pilots in Andhra Pradesh, positioning the state as a human resource hub for drone technology. This, he explained, will create a skilled workforce capable of meeting the growing demand for drones in various industries. He also promised that within 15 days, the state government would release a comprehensive drone policy to establish a business-friendly environment for drone manufacturers and innovators.

Chandrababu Naidu highlighted how Andhra Pradesh has always adapted to technology. “Andhra Pradesh has always been at the forefront of adapting cutting-edge technology to solve pressing challenges”, he said.

He cited the recent use of drones during the Vijayawada floods, where they were deployed to deliver food and water to affected areas. “Drones can solve traffic problems in cities, improve agricultural processes, and bring revolutionary changes to healthcare,” he said.

Naidu invited all stakeholders to use Andhra Pradesh as a pilot testing field for their drone projects. These pilot projects will help test the effectiveness of drones and, if successful, will be scaled up statewide and replicated across the country.

Looking to the future, Chandrababu Naidu spoke about the rise of the knowledge economy, driven by AI, machine learning, and cloud technologies. He stressed the importance of creating a robust ecosystem for knowledge-based industries in Andhra Pradesh, calling on the state to think globally and act accordingly in this evolving field.