VIJAYAWADA: The Andhra Pradesh government, under Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, has launched an ambitious initiative to position the State as the Drone Capital of India and a global hub for drone technology.
Through a series of strategic programmes led by the Andhra Pradesh Drone Corporation (APDC), the State aims to foster innovation, attract investments, and integrate drone applications across various sectors. A key deadline for participation, including investment proposals and project submissions, is set for April 21, 2025.
At the heart of this push is the proposed Drone City in Orvakal of Kurnool district. Spanning 300 acres, the project is being developed as one of the most advanced drone hubs in the world. Land acquisition and master plan are complete, and the government has issued an Expression of Interest to attract investors to this purpose-built ecosystem, which will include manufacturing zones, testing facilities, and import-export infrastructure.
The APDC is leading the effort by inviting startups, industry leaders, and innovators to submit use case proposals for drone applications.
The corporation has already identified more than 100 practical use cases, and is now expanding its scope to explore new possibilities in agriculture, irrigation, mining, municipal services, and more.
To further support the ecosystem, the State is also launching the Andhra Pradesh Drone Mart portal, a digital marketplace connecting drone service providers with clients across government, industry, and the public.
Multiple departments—including Revenue, Agriculture, Forest, Roads and Buildings, and Panchayati Raj—have begun integrating drone services into their operations, setting a precedent for wide-scale adoption across governance.
For proposal submissions or more information, interested parties can visit www.apsfl.in/notifications.php (http://www.apsfl.in/notifications.php) or contact +91 79955 11440 via WhatsApp.