NEW DELHI, Jun 14 (NNN-PTI) – The Indian government would soon be delivering COVID-19 vaccines and drugs by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), in areas with difficult terrains, officials said.
HLL Infra Tech Services Limited, a subsidiary of state-owned HLL Lifecare, which is procuring all COVID-19 vaccines in the country, has, on behalf of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), invited an expression of interest (EOI) for the delivery of medical supplies (vaccines/drugs) by UAVs, at selected locations in India.
The EOI has been issued on Friday and the last date of the bid submission has been fixed as Jun 22.
Reports said, an Indian e-commerce major, Flipkart, has partnered with the local government of Telangana, to lead a consortium tasked with the development and execution of the drone deliveries to remote areas, under the “Medicines from the Sky” project. The pilot project, which is expected to be conducted for over six days, will be tested out, for delivering thousands of COVID-19 vaccines in Hyderabad, the capital of Telangana, while keeping in mind all safety and efficiency parameters.
UAVs have been sought by ICMR, which can travel up to 35 km with the supplies, and fly at an altitude of at least 100 metres.
As per specifications spelled out by the Centre, the UAV should take off vertically, carry a minimum payload of four kg and should be capable of returning home or the command station, after delivery of the payload. “Take off and landing will be as per DGCA guidelines. Parachute-based delivery will not be preferred,” the document says, adding the UAV must land safely with the vaccines.
Senior officials said, with the vaccination exercise spreading far and wide to rural areas, it is anticipated that supply of vaccines to mountainous regions and remote areas could become a challenge.
At present, according to the health ministry, so far, over 253 million COVID-19 jabs have been administered.– NNN-PTI
