Test range for pilot-less aircraft coming up at Chitradurga in Karnataka

Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has identified 3,000 acres of land at Chitradurga, about 200 kms from Bangalore, for setting up India’s first flight test range for unmanned aerial vehicle.

The flight test range to come up in remote taluks of Hiriyur and Challakere in Chitradurga district will not only be India’s first such centre, but also the fourth in the world. The other flight test centres for pilot-less aircraft are located in Australian, Europe and North America.

Airport Authority of India (AAI) and Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have already given the green signal for the Rs 8.5 billion worth project, which is scheduled for completion in five to six years. All the three divisions of the Indian armed forces – Air Force, Navy and Army - will use the flight test centre.

According to Ramesh Baliga, a scientist at DRDO, Bangalore, the authorities zeroed in on the 3,000 acres of land at Chitradurga, which falls under no-flying zone, after it found the Kolar airstrip not conducive for testing the pilot-less aircraft as it is located close to Bangalore. “If testing is carried out at Kolar, we would have to co-ordinate with the international airport coming up near Bangalore to ensure that our flights do not disrupt the civilian aircraft. It would be a difficult task. Thus, we decided to shift to Chitradurga”, Baliga said.

Before finalizing the land at Hiriyur and Challakere in Chitradurga, Baliga said the authorities had carried out an aerial survey of 25 venues and a land survey of 14 places. Besides, satellite pictures of the State were also collected. “Chitradurga was chosen because it is not is only under no-flying zone, but also located relatively close to Bangalore”, Baliga added.

Meanwhile, the Chitradurga district administration has already been entrusted with the task of acquiring the 3,000 acres of land identified for the project. Chitradurga’s Deputy Commissioner K Amaranarayan is keen to ensure that the land acquisition process is a smooth affair as it was the region’s biggest and “most ambitious” project.

“The district administration will ensure that proper compensation is paid to the land-losers and suitable rehabilitation package is worked to the 400 families of farmers, who will be affected by the project”, Amaranarayan said. Already, district administration officials have begun holding meetings with the farmers and the village leaders to finalize the compensation amount. The land acquisition process is expected to begin in a fortnight’s time.