HYDERABAD: In what began as a small experiment for delivering drugs through the drone to the area sometimes inaccessible, Telangana government’s ambitious ‘Medicine of the sky’ project is ready to soar to new areas.
So far, 350 flying unmanned aircraft delivered drugs to different locations in Vikarabad in little more than a month, although some locations are inaccessible.
Vaccines, medicines and blood platelets delivered by drone to primary health centers (Puskesmas).
With ‘Vikarabad trial’ became a huge success, officials say all the experience gained will be put to good use for the delivery of drugs drones in Adilabad district and Bhadradri Kothagudem.
Rama Devi Lanka, director, Emerging Technologies, Telanana government, said careful planning is done to implement the initiative, which was launched on 11 September by the Union civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia.
“Personnel are trained and the necessary permits obtained.
The process was exhausting.
We went through all that abide by the rules of DGCA and has succeeded in the mission, “he told TOI.
Rama Devi said officials initially uneasy.
“However, no major incidents that occurred during the whole period.
This is commendable, “he said.
The longest flight of the drone is 42 km.
At the time of the official launch by Scindia, a parcel of 5 kg with vaccine delivered in 10 minutes to PHC 3 km from Vikarabad.
The ‘medicine of the sky’ project raised jointly with the World Economic Forum, Niti Aayog and global HealthNet.
Identify the location to where the drugs should be sent be decided in consultation with the collector K Nikhila.
“In one place, that approach is not easy.
Due to the condition of the old bridge, we deployed drones to deliver drugs there, “said Rama Devi.
In Vikarabad, eight consortia take part in the initiative.
Phase 2 of the project is being drafted to include the actual delivery and use of hybrid vertical take-off and landing UAV.
Sources said the consortium participating in the first phase excited to launch the second phase.
Operated by remote pilot, drones can travel up to 10 km in a single run at a speed of 32 km per hour.