A drone manufacturing unit was inaugurated at the Centurion University of Technology and Management (CUTM) in Vizianagaram on Saturday. The initiative aligns with the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme introduced by the central government to promote the manufacturing of drones and related components.
Union Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu, along with MSME and NRI Affairs Minister Kondapalli Srinivas, presided over the event. The PLI scheme is expected to increase the utilization of drones across sectors, particularly in agriculture, where they can reduce labor costs and enable controlled pesticide use.
During the event, Naidu highlighted the employment potential for students trained in drone technology and noted that the government’s recently launched drone policy could position the North Andhra region as a hub for drone manufacturing.
In addition to the inauguration, the Ministers participated in the launch of the ‘Health Care on Wheels’ project, aimed at providing diagnostic services at affordable rates in nearby villages.
CUTM representatives also discussed other initiatives, such as organic farming, electric rickshaws, and short-distance plane manufacturing. The university signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Smart Village Movement CEO Vivek Shah, focusing on knowledge exchange and equipment support for newly introduced agriculture courses approved by the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR).
The developments at CUTM reflect ongoing efforts to integrate technology and innovation into various sectors, including education, healthcare, and agriculture.