Haryana Chief Secretary Sanjeev Kaushal on Tuesday said that the State Government is harnessing the potential of drone technology across diverse sectors. From enhancing traffic and crime surveillance to revolutionise agricultural practices, drones are becoming an integral part of the State's governance strategy, he said, adding that the spearheading this technological revolution is the Drone Imaging and Information Systems of Haryana Ltd. (DRIISHYA), a dedicated agency established to spearhead drone-related initiatives is exploring hitherto untouched vistas.

Kaushal, who is also the senior vice chairperson of DRIISHYA, presided over a meeting of Board of Directors and informed that DRIISHYA is collaborating with DCP Traffic, Gurugram, to introduce drone-based land surveying on National Highways. To cater to the escalating demand, the agency is set to augment its fleet with 20 new large-scale drones, in addition to six specialized agricultural drones designed for nano-fertilizer spraying demonstrations. The recent recruitment drive saw DRIISHYA on boarding 20 drones and 16 co-pilots, following rigorous examinations conducted in partnership with Deen Bandhu Chotu Ram University of Science and Technology, Murthal (Sonipat).

Recognizing the transformative potential of drone technology in agriculture, DRIISHYA has received a surge of requests, especially from farmers eager to master drone operations. The agency acknowledges the current training ground's constraints and is actively scouting opportunities to establish dedicated training facilities, notably at the Horticulture University at  Karnal. Such endeavors are poised to popularise drone technology. It will also enable end users like farmers to harness its benefits for optimizing output.