Odisha is preparing to take a major leap in India’s drone ecosystem by developing a National UAV Test and Innovation Corridor at Rangeilunda, transforming it into the country’s first operational commercial airport repurposed for live drone testing.
The announcement was made at Wings India 2026 in Hyderabad, where officials said the corridor will allow drones to be tested in real, dynamic airspace rather than restricted laboratory environments. This approach is expected to significantly improve how next-generation unmanned aerial systems are evaluated, certified and scaled.
Unlike conventional test sites, the Rangeilunda facility will function as a real-world proving ground, enabling companies to test drones under live operating conditions. Officials believe this will help accelerate innovation while also supporting safer and more robust regulatory frameworks.
Speaking at a signing ceremony with BonV Aero, Usha Padhee, Principal Secretary of the Commerce and Transport Department, Government of Odisha, said the State is focused on building infrastructure for the future of mobility. She noted that Rangeilunda will serve as a national platform where industry players and regulators can work together to shape India’s emerging low-altitude aviation economy.
The corridor will be developed in phases under the State’s B-MAAN framework and will support advanced use cases such as drone swarms, AI-enabled navigation systems, autonomous airspace management and high-density UAV operations. It is also expected to play a critical role in verification and validation of drone technologies before large-scale deployment.
Officials said the initiative positions Odisha not just as a test location, but as an active contributor to national drone policy and standards. Once operational, the corridor is expected to attract startups, research institutions and global technology partners, reinforcing India’s push towards leadership in advanced aerial systems.
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