The total number of seizure of drones and remote controlled helicopters is over 150 as this year alone the department has seized close to 30 high-quality drones.
Customs office at Delhi airport has run-out of space with seized drones or Unmanned Arial Systems (UASs). The total number of seizure of drones and remote controlled helicopters is over 150 as this year alone the department has seized close to 30 high-quality drones which were being imported from the foreign countries.
Similar is the situation at the Mumbai and Bangalore Airports – as a large number companies and aerial photography enthusiasts order these high tech gadgets from foreign countries, without taking prior permission from government body.
“Our warehouse is full of drones and other remote controlled helicopters. There must be over 150 such gadgets in our warehouse. This year we have seized over two dozen high-capacity drones,” said a senior custom officer to Mail Today.
The officer added that this year in two cases FIR was registered related to illegal import of drones.
Currently drones or UAS comes under ‘restricted’ items and require permission from Wireless Planning & Coordination (WPC) wing of the Ministry of Communications for clearance due to security concerns, which is not taken by most of the importers.
Last year, in a major haul, Pune customs seized seven drones worth Rs 1.2 crore, which were imported in parts from Canada to be assembled in India.
Usage of drones came under the scanner due to security concerns as officials pointed out that the vehicles can be used to carry out aerial attacks and pose a great threat if not regulated. Drones became a major security concern as pilots landing at Delhi’s IGI airport complained of having a tough time dealing with distractions while landing or taking off. Every month, nearly 6-7 cases of pilots getting distracted by different objects including drones are reported from near the airport. In August this year, flight operations at Delhi airport was halted twice for around two hours after pilots of two airlines spotted a drone-like object.
The Custom officer said that all these items are mostly bought from foreign sellers, who send them through parcels. In some cases people try to bring it in their luggage, which is scanned at the airport. All these seized high-tech packed gadgets are gathering dust at customs department warehouse and the department are yet to decide on how to dispose them.
As the demand for high-powered drones has gone up manifold, it has given rise to a grey market openly selling these gizmos at a premium price.
However, internet is full of cheat codes and directions to get drones in India despite strict vigil. One of the aerial photographers, wishing anonymity told Mail Today, “Drones can be dismantled and parts like battery, wings and body can be kept separately to deceive custom officers.”
However, soon there will be some respite for importers as after much debate, government this week issued a draft rule on the usage of drones or UASs in India. The regulator has classified drones under five categories based on their weight.
Making the usage legal for civilians will open doors for aerial surveys, commercial photography, aerial mapping, wedding shoots, recording concerts and events. Even the public sector sees a huge potential for drones.
Source: India Today