Team Goemkarponn
Porvorim: The Goa Government will establish a Drone Design and Aero Centre at Quitol, creating a dedicated hub for innovators to design, test, and fly drones, Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communications Rohan A. Khaunte announced today.
Envisioned as part of the proposed Tourism Aero Hub, the facility will be among the first of its kind in India, positioning Goa as a driver of next-generation drone innovation. The project is anchored in the Goa Drone Policy 2022, which promotes drone design, manufacturing, testing, and maintenance while building academic capacity and generating employment for locals.
Showcasing Goa’s talent pool, Khaunte highlighted Deepak Pathania, a designer working with the state, who is developing the world’s first amphibian drone — fully designed, sandboxed, and manufactured in Goa.
To boost skills and opportunities, the state has begun empanelling DGCA-approved agencies to offer certified drone pilot and technician training for Goan youth. Under the national Drone Didi scheme, women-led Self Help Groups will also receive advanced drones and training to promote micro-entrepreneurship and grassroots innovation.
The policy further promotes drone applications in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, tourism, healthcare, and mining, while aligning with the ‘Make in India’ initiative to strengthen indigenous technology.
With this initiative, Goa aims to cement its place as a key player in India’s drone ecosystem — powered by local talent, innovation, and sustainable growth.
