The Business Bytes
TBB BUREAU
MUMBAI/BHUBANESWAR, SEPT 11, 2021
India’s leading express logistics service provider Blue Dart Express has successfully commenced Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) drone delivery trials under the Blue Dart Med-Express Consortium in Vikarabad, Hyderabad on Thursday.
The event was graced by Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Telangana Minister for ITE&C, I&C and MAUD KT Rama Rao, Union Civil Aviation Secretary Pradeep Singh Kharola, Telangana Director of Emerging Technologies Rama Devi Lanka, and Vikarabad District Collector Nikhila.
Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) trails were initiated today; and will continue on till the end of the week.
Blue Dart Med-Express Consortium was formed early this year with the mission to revolutionize the delivery of vaccines and emergency medical supplies to the remotest parts of India with drones.
It is part of the “Medicine from the Sky” project in collaboration with the Telangana Government, World Economic Forum, Niti Aayog and Healthnet Global.
The Blue Dart Med-Express Consortium drone delivery trials currently involve the delivery of vaccines from Vikarabad to the primary health care centre in Sidduloor using a multi-rotor drone.
These trials have delivered promising results, bringing the country one step closer in ensuring the last-mile delivery of vaccines, Blue Dart said in a statement today.
Operated by remote pilots, the drone can travel up to 10 kms in a single run, at a speed of 32 kms per hour. These drones can even handle Blue Dart’s specialised Temperature Controlled Shipments with a payload of up to 5 kgs; and are equipped to pick up and deliver the shipment from the distribution centre to the towns that need the medical supplies and vice versa.
Commenting on the launch, Balfour Manuel, Managing Director, Blue Dart said, “The initiative is aimed at creating a robust healthcare infrastructure for last-mile delivery in the interiors of India, providing every individual with the healthcare they deserve. As we witness the marvel of drone technology, we look forward to extending this service across the nation and bringing the world closer to these remote areas.”
Ketan Kulkarni, CMO and Head – Business Development, Blue Dart shared his thoughts on this event saying, “Technology has become the backbone of not just the logistics industry, but of almost every industry across the world. At Blue Dart, technology continues to be an important pivot for our business and these drone trials are just the beginning of what we aim to explore. In line with our organization’s ‘First In Last Out’ policy, we have created these opportunities to contribute to the development of our nation while we achieve our business goals. Blue Dart will leave no stone unturned to make logistics in India remarkable and trustworthy.”
