Odisha to Develop National UAV Test and Innovation Corridor

Odisha has announced plans to establish the National UAV Test and Innovation Corridor at Rangeilunda, marking a major milestone in India’s drone and advanced mobility ecosystem. The initiative was unveiled at Wings India 2026 in Hyderabad and positions the state as a frontline contributor to next-generation unmanned aerial systems development.

Rangeilunda Airport as a Live Drone Test Site

The corridor will be developed at Rangeilunda, making it India’s first operational commercial airport to be repurposed as a live drone testing facility. Unlike conventional drone testing zones that operate in restricted or fenced laboratory environments, the new corridor will enable testing in real, dynamic airspace. This approach is expected to significantly enhance the validation and scaling of advanced UAV technologies under real-world conditions.

Alignment with B-MAAN Scheme and Phased Development

The project is aligned with the B-MAAN scheme and will be implemented in a phased manner. Once operational, the corridor will support swarm testing, AI-driven navigation, autonomous airspace management, and high-density UAV operations. It will also function as a national verification and validation platform, enabling developers to test systems at scale while complying with evolving regulatory frameworks.

Government and Industry Collaboration

Speaking at the signing ceremony with BonV Aero, Usha Padhee, IAS, Principal Secretary of the Commerce and Transport Department, Government of Odisha, underlined the state’s long-term vision. She noted that Odisha aims to build infrastructure for the next era of mobility and create a national proving ground where regulators and industry collaborate to shape India’s low-altitude economy. The emphasis, she said, is on contributing to national policy rather than merely implementing it.

Important Facts for Exams

• Rangeilunda will be India’s first operational airport repurposed as a live UAV test corridor.
• The project is aligned with the B-MAAN scheme for advanced air mobility.
• Swarm drones involve coordinated operation of multiple UAVs using AI algorithms.
• Autonomous airspace management is key to future high-density drone operations.

Boost to India’s Drone and Low-Altitude Economy

With real-airspace testing and close regulator–industry coordination, the National UAV Test and Innovation Corridor is expected to accelerate indigenous drone innovation. It is likely to strengthen India’s position in emerging areas such as autonomous aviation, defence applications, logistics, and urban air mobility, while reinforcing Odisha’s role as a strategic aviation and aerospace hub.