Goa is set to establish a Drone Design and Aero Centre at Quitol, envisioned as a dedicated hub for designing, sandbox testing, and flying drones, announced Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communications, Rohan A. Khaunte. Positioned as part of the upcoming Tourism Aero Hub, the centre aims to give Goa a unique edge in India’s fast-growing drone industry and support next-generation innovation.
The initiative builds on the Goa Drone Policy 2022, launched on December 19, 2022, which promotes drone design, manufacturing, testing, and maintenance, while fostering academic and institutional capacity and creating job opportunities for Goans.
Khaunte highlighted local talent already making waves in the sector, citing Deepak Pathania, who is developing the world’s first amphibian drone, currently being designed, tested, and manufactured in Goa.
The policy further encourages drone deployment for citizen-centric services across agriculture, horticulture, forestry, tourism, healthcare, and mining, while aligning with the ‘Make in India’ initiative to strengthen indigenous manufacturing and innovation.
With these efforts, Goa aims to position itself as a key player in India’s drone ecosystem, driven by local expertise and designed for national impact.