Mumbai: The state cabinet on Tuesday approved the formulation of the Maharashtra Automated Systems Policy-2026 to implement automated systems, like drones and robots, in the fields of research and development, innovation, production, deployment as well as maintenance, repair and reconstruction.This policy will boost the manufacture of drones, robots, autonomous vehicles as well as training, engineering, and research and development projects to operate these devices. It is expected to attract investments worth Rs 25,000 crore .This policy will remain in effect for a minimum of five years or until a new policy is finalised.The system is expected to be used in various fields including infrastructure and industrial monitoring, agricultural and environmental management, public safety and disaster response, logistics and civil management.Emphasis will be placed on developing a skilled manpower of about 5,000 remote pilots. In particular, the Namo Drone Didi scheme will be effectively implemented. Through this, more than a thousand women from self-help groups will be trained as certified pilots for use in the agricultural sector.The policy can be used in the following ways:Infrastructure and industrial inspection: Safety inspection of bridge piers and marine area mapping and survey. Expressway monitoring , land surveying and aerial survey for construction of power lines.Agriculture and environmental management: Soil sampling and mechanical weed control work. Fisheries and water quality monitoring. Crop spraying and forest area monitoring.Public safety and disaster response: For search and inspection in industrial spill areas, monitoring of river and coastal areas, illegal fishing control and deep-sea marine products operations. Drone ambulances, medical supply delivery, disaster mapping, firefighting assistance and crowd management.Logistics and urban management: Warehouse automation and inventory management. Port security and port patrols. Drug distribution. Maintenance and repair of inaccessible areas.
