Goa to Establish Drone Design and Aero Centre at Quitol for Sandbox Testing
Porvorim, August 11 2025: The Government has proposed the establishment of a Drone Design and Aero Centre at Quitol, envisioned as a dedicated ecosystem where innovators can design, sandbox, and fly drones, said Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communications, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte.
“The Centre will be uniquely positioned in India and form a part of the proposed Tourism Aero Hub,” Khaunte added, noting that it would enable Goa to support next-generation innovation in drone technology.
This initiative stems from the Goa Drone Policy 2022, launched on December 19, 2022, which seeks to position Goa as a growing hub within India’s drone ecosystem. The policy promotes drone design, manufacturing, testing, and maintenance, while simultaneously building academic and institutional capacity and generating employment opportunities for Goans.
Highlighting Goa’s growing capabilities in the field, the Minister cited the example of Deepak Pathania, a member of the community of Designers group engaged with the state, who is developing the world’s first amphibian drone, a project currently being designed, sandboxed, and manufactured in Goa.
To implement the policy effectively, the Department has initiated the empanelment of DGCA-approved agencies to provide certified drone pilot and technician training for Goan youth.
In line with the national Drone Didi scheme, the Government also plans to train and equip women-led Self Help Groups (SHGs) with advanced drones and skills, promoting micro-entrepreneurship and grassroots innovation.
The policy further encourages the use of drones for citizen-centric services across sectors such as agriculture, horticulture, forestry, tourism, healthcare, and mining, and aligns with the ‘Make in India’ initiative to support indigenous innovation.
Through these initiatives, Goa is laying the foundation to establish itself as a key player in India’s drone ecosystem, driven by local talent and designed for national impact.
