Indore, November 13, 2025 — In a monumental stride towards data-driven governance, Madhya Pradesh has unveiled India’s first State-level Drone Data Repository (DDR), marking a new chapter in the use of drone technology for public administration. Launched by Hon’ble Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav during the Madhya Pradesh Tech Growth Conclave 2.0 in Indore, this initiative positions the State as a pioneer in harnessing geospatial intelligence for transparent and efficient governance.

A Unified Platform for Drone Intelligence

The Drone Data Repository, developed by the Madhya Pradesh State Electronics Development Corporation (MPSEDC) under the Department of Science & Technology, is the first of its kind in the country. This secure, centralized, cloud-backed platform consolidates high-resolution drone datasets that were previously scattered across departments, often leading to data redundancy, loss of valuable imagery, and slower decision-making.

The repository integrates diverse types of drone-captured data including:

• Orthomosaics
• 3D terrain models
• LiDAR scans
• Video imagery
• Historical baselines and more

Each dataset is geo-referenced with latitude–longitude metadata, tagged with keywords, and stored in a standard technical format to ensure instant discoverability and accessibility for authorized users. For the first time, the State now has a unified “single source of truth” for all drone-based data.

Solving a Systemic Challenge

Rapid growth in drone usage for land surveys, agriculture, irrigation, mining, urban planning, and disaster management revealed a significant challenge: departments often conducted repeated surveys of the same regions, resulting in unnecessary expenditure, time losses, and disjointed data repositories. The DDR directly addresses this gap by offering:

• Centralized drone data storage
• Interoperable access across departments
• Uniform data cataloguing and searchability
• Permission-based access for government bodies

As a result, drone survey duplication has reduced by 30–50%, and data acquisition timelines have shrunk from weeks to days — a massive boost to operational efficiency.

Transforming Governance Across Sectors

The repository’s impact cuts across multiple administrative layers:

• Land Records & Revenue: Enables precise parcel mapping, encroachment detection, and fast dispute resolution.
• Infrastructure Monitoring: Roads, bridges, canals, and solar parks can now be monitored through time-lapse visuals and 3D models.
• Urban Planning: Municipal bodies can access detailed models for zoning and utility planning.
• Disaster Response: Teams can identify affected areas within hours using historical drone imagery.
• Agriculture & Environment: Departments can use real-time data for crop health analysis, water management, and forest monitoring.

Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav highlighted the initiative’s vision during the launch:

“With the launch of the Drone Data Repository, Madhya Pradesh has positioned itself at the forefront of India’s drone and geospatial ecosystem. This initiative reflects our commitment to a Digital Madhya Pradesh where technology strengthens governance, improves planning, and empowers every citizen.”

Technology Meets Policy

Built in alignment with the National Geospatial Policy 2022 and DGCA’s UAS Rules 2021, the DDR exemplifies how State-led innovation can translate national policy goals into actionable infrastructure. With AI/ML-led analytics, real-time monitoring, and historical change detection, the DDR is not just a repository—it’s an intelligence engine powering smart governance.

Sanjay Dubey, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, remarked:
“The Drone Data Repository marks a transformative step toward data-driven governance. By eliminating duplication and providing real-time insights, we’re building a strong foundation for Smart Governance.”

A Blueprint for the Future

Looking beyond State borders, Madhya Pradesh aspires to expand this model into a national reference framework. Potential collaborations with central ministries, research institutions, start-ups, and private geospatial companies could set the benchmark for unified drone intelligence across India.

As the State continues to consolidate drone-powered insights into governance, Madhya Pradesh sets a shining example of how technology, data, and policy can converge to build a more transparent, efficient, and citizen-focused government.

Written by: Pritesh Khare
Date: Thursday, November 13, 2025