New High For Indian Cricket: BCCI Can Use Drones To Cover Matches

New Delhi: In news that is sure to cheer cricket spectators at home, the government has permitted the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to deploy drones for live aerial cinematography of matches.

According to a release, the Civil Aviation Ministry and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have granted conditional exemption to BCCI for the use of drones during the cricket season in 2021.

Earlier, BCCI had requested the ministry to grant permission regarding the use of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) for live aerial filming.

“The drone ecosystem is evolving rapidly in our country. Its utilization is expanding from agriculture, mining, healthcare and disaster management to sports and entertainment. The granting of this permission is in line with the objectives of the Government of India to promote the commercial use of drones in the country,” the Joint Secretary of Civil Aviation Ministry, Amber Dubey, wrote to BCCI.

However, the BCCI will have to follow certain conditions and limitations for deploying the drones.

These include obtaining prior clearances from the local administration, Defence Ministry, Home Ministry, Indian Air Force and Airport Authority of India (AAI) (as applicable) to operate the drones.

Besides, the photographs/video graphs taken through the drones shall be used by BCCI only.

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