‘We have the tech capability to spot rogue drones’, says Happiest Minds after delivering India’s first airspace map for drones

The government of India recently introduced an online airspace map for drones, which is available on the DigitalSky website, to help citizens know where they can fly their drones and what paperwork is required to fly drones in certain areas. As part of the “liberalised Drone Rules, 2021”, the DigitalSky platform, developed and hosted by Happiest Minds Technologies, is primarily meant for providing information and registering new drones manufacturers and operators in India. Having said that, the company informed that it is technologically capable of aiding law enforcement agencies in spotting rogue drones or drones that are flying without registration on a real-time basis.
Aurobindo Nanda, president– Operations & Deputy Chief Executive Officer, PES at Happiest Minds in conversation with The Times of India–GadgetsNow said, “Right now we are providing the technology required for registration of drones and operators along with the other aspect of DigitalSky platform. We are working as per the guidelines of the government and we are delivering what the government wants from us. We are technologically capable to provide better support and more digital help to the government if demanded in future.”
As one of the key tasks of the DigitalSky platform is registration of drones and operators, the next obvious question that arises is what happens to users who are not following the rules and fly drones (beyond the permissible limits) without the correct paperwork?
Replying to this concern, Nanda explained, “The new drone rules are relaxed and most civilian drone pilots will not need any paperwork. But we can’t rule out any possibilities”.
For those unaware, remote pilot licence is not required for micro drones (for non-commercial use) and nano drones. Also, as per the new rules, no requirement for security clearance before issuance of any registration or licence.
Talking about whether Happiest Minds will be in a position to provide support to spot rogue drones, Nanda said, “ We have the technical means to spot unidentified drones flying in the air, violating rules, and provide real-time information about its location to law enforcement agencies. If there’s a demand (from the government) then we are technologically capable to provide such support.”
How to read the airspace map for drones
It goes without saying that the zones marked in Red cannot be accessed by civilians unless there is permission from the government and other concerned departments including the Ministry of Home Affairs, Indian Air Force and DGCA.
No permission required for operating drones in green zones. Green zone means the airspace up to a vertical distance of 400 feet or 120 metres has not been designated as a red zone or yellow zone in the airspace map. Green zone also includes airspace upto a vertical distance of 200 feet or 60 metre above the area located between a lateral distance of 8 and 12 kilometre from the perimeter of an operational airport.
On the other hand, the yellow zone is designated as the airspace above 400 feet or 120 metres inside a green zone and above 200 feet or 60 metres from a lateral distance of 8 and 12 kilometres from the perimeter of an operational airport. It also includes the airspace above ground level between 5 and 8 kilometres from the boundary walls of an airport. As per the new regulations, the yellow zone has been reduced from 45 km to 12 km from the airport perimeter.