Karnataka to Establish Dedicated ₹42.8 Crore Drone Testing Hub in Chikkaballapura

The Karnataka government is set to strengthen its aerial mobility infrastructure by establishing a dedicated Drone Testing Hub in Chikkaballapura district. Valued at ₹42.8 crore ($5.1 million), the facility will cover 19.26 acres at Jeedarahalli village in Chintamani taluk. Minister for Information Technology and Biotechnology Priyank Kharge announced that the project will be developed in partnership with the Drone Federation of India to bridge the gap between laboratory research and commercial deployment. The proposed testing hub will feature dedicated runways, segregated airspace, and specialized testing infrastructure for advanced unmanned aerial vehicles. Key testing activities will include Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) flight operations, endurance checks, safety validation, and industry certification trials. BVLOS testing capability is regarded as crucial for long-distance and autonomous drone deployment in sectors such as agriculture, logistics, and defense. State officials noted that the facility will benefit startups, commercial manufacturers, academic researchers, and defense personnel across Karnataka. By offering pre-cleared airspace and testing support, the state aims to streamline regulatory processes, accelerate commercialization, and cement Karnataka's position as a premier innovation hub for future air mobility.