JJ CORRESPONDENT
Jammu, Nov 26: Determined to provide best health and medical facilities to every nook and corner of the region, the Central government to rope in drone technology to start with transportation of Covid-19 vaccine and later the medicines in the remotest parts across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
However, the trial run to transport medicines from Indian Institute of Integrated Medicine (IIIM) to Marh block of Jammu will be conducted on Saturday.
Official sources said that the trial run will be carried from the Prime Minister’s Office amidst the presence of Union Minister, Dr. Jitendra Singh and if it remains successful, then in near future, besides COVID vaccine, other medicines will also be delivered through this unique technology.
“We have developed this technology in our related ministry and to start with, it will begin from Jammu having border and hilly areas,” Union MoS in PMO, Dr Jitendra Singh told UNI.
He said that a trial will be conducted on Saturday and thereafter, the facility will be launched immediately.
“Initially, the focus is on providing COVID vaccine to every one,” he stated.
However, official sources said that the drone to be used for this exercise has the capability to fly up to 20 kilometers and at a height of 500 meters and also have a carry load of 10-kg of weight,” sources said.
This will be for the first time that drones will be used to deliver the medicine and COVID vaccine to the remote areas of the Union Territory, adding, “after its successful trial, every left out person will get vaccinated at their doorstep.”
“There are many areas in Jammu and Kashmir, where people did not prefer to travel far for vaccination especially the snowbound locations, so the government decided on this different way to reach out to people,” they added.
Initially 30 drones can be used to deliver the vaccine in parts of Jammu and Kashmir and if required, more drones will be engaged.
“The details of left out areas will be gathered from the respective District Heads after the successful trial so that the vaccine and other medicines can be delivered to the identified destinations,” they added.
A similar exercise will also be launched in Ladakh as well, they said.
In many areas of Jammu and Kashmir, like Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, Rajouri, Reasi, Poonch, Kupwara and Anantnag, it becomes difficult to deliver the vaccine but the drone facility will make it much easier. UNI
