**Summary:**
In response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2011, the Ministry of Civil Aviation addressed the usage of small aircraft, helicopters, and drones during disasters. Regarding a national framework, the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has established requirements for Aero Medical Transportation (AMT) via Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR), Section 8, Series S, Part VII, and issued Operations Circular (OC) 02 of 2016 concerning Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS). Furthermore, the Central Government has implemented liberalized Drone Rules, 2021 (dated August 25, 2021), with subsequent amendments in 2022, 2023, and 2024, governing civil drone operations. Drone operations adhering to these rules can be conducted in green zones under Visual Line of Sight conditions without explicit approval, regardless of application. The Ministry clarified that there is no ongoing pilot project in Telangana utilizing aviation for emergency evacuations during floods or medical crises. Finally, the Ministry of Civil Aviation stated that there are currently no proposals under consideration to establish emergency aviation access points or coordination centers in remote regions. The response was provided by Shri Murlidhar Mohol, Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The Indian government ministry responsible for the formulation of national policies and programmes for the development and regulation of the Civil Aviation sector.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
Shri Kunduru Raghuveer: Member of Lok Sabha who asked the unstarred question No. 2011.
Telangana: A state in India mentioned in the context of a potential pilot project for emergency evacuations.
Nalgonda district, Telangana: A district in Telangana, specifically mentioned in the context of remote areas with forests or tribal populations.
Shri Murlidhar Mohol: Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation who provided the answer to the Lok Sabha question.
Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA): The regulatory body in India for civil aviation.
Drone Rules, 2021: Liberalized rules notified by the Central Government that govern Civil Drone Operations in the country.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 2011
st
(To be answered on the 31 July 2025)
USAGE OF SMALL AIRCRAFT, HELICOPTERS AND DRONE DURING
DISASTER
2011. SHRI KUNDURU RAGHUVEER
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) whether there is a national framework for deploying small aircraft, helicopters
or drones for emergency medical transport and disaster relief and if so, the details
thereof;
(b) whether Telangana is part of any pilot project to use aviation for emergency
evacuations during floods or medical crises in remote areas, particularly in regions
such as the forests or tribal areas of Nalgonda district and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has any proposal to set up emergency aviation access
points or coordination centres in such regions; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)
(a): Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has stipulated the requirements for
Aero Medical transportation (AMT) vide Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR),
Section 8, Series S, Part VII and has also issued Operations Circular (OC) 02 of
2016 regarding Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS).
Central Government has notified liberalized Drone Rules, 2021 on 25th August
2021 and subsequent amendments were issued in 2022, 2023, and 2024 that govern
Civil Drone Operations in the country. Drone operations in compliance with the
above rules may be undertaken in the green zone for Visual Line of Sight
Conditions without the need for any explicit approval, irrespective of its
applications/ use.
(b): Currently, no such pilot project is being undertaken by the Ministry of Civil
Aviation.
(c) & (d): No such proposal is under consideration in the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
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