Odisha to set up National UAV Test Corridor at Rangeilunda

The Government of Odisha announced at Wings India 2026 that it will partner with BonV Aero to set up the National UAV Test and Innovation Corridor at Rangeilunda Airport in Odisha to enable drone testing in live airspace, support regulation-ready operations, and build capacity for logistics, defence and mobility through phased infrastructure development.

The corridor will repurpose Rangeilunda into a UAV testing and certification ecosystem, allowing drones to operate in active airspace up to 1,000 metres. The project aligns with the B-MAAN scheme and will roll out in phases to support swarm testing, AI navigation, autonomous airspace management and high-density UAV operations. The site will also be used for verification and validation of systems.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Usha Padhee, IAS, Principal Secretary, Commerce and Transport Department, Government of Odisha, said the state aims to build infrastructure for future mobility and work with technology companies to shape policy for low-altitude aviation.

BonV Aero CEO and co-founder Satyabrata Satapathy said the corridor will help companies validate autonomy stacks, propulsion systems and mission reliability in operating conditions and provide startups with a platform to scale.

Rangeilunda will function as a regulatory sandbox for beyond visual line of sight operations, using coastal and hinterland terrain for defence logistics, delivery, disaster response and surveillance missions.

BonV Aero recently completed a 60-km BVLOS flight with a 20-kg payload. The Odisha government said the partnership will support its plan to develop the state as a hub for unmanned aviation and aerospace systems.