Drone policy at final stage: Mahbub Ali tells parliament

September 12, 2019, 07:03 PM
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UNB News
Publish- September 12, 2019, 07:03 PM

Drone policy at final stage: Mahbub Ali tells parliament

Dhaka, Sept 12 (UNB) - State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Mahbub Ali on Thursday told parliament that the work on formulating a drone policy is now at the final stage to ensure its safe use.

“Drone is a new issue across the globe. Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry, Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh and other relevant ministries, departments and organisations are working to formulate a specific drone policy for its proper use and import. It’s now at the final stage,” Mahbub Ali said.

He came up with the remarks while replying to a query from Awami League MP Morshed Alam (Noakhali-2).

The junior minister said the size of drones, their registration and information about flying drones will be there in the policy along with other issues.

Once the policy is finalised, he said all the information related to drone will be preserved by the government.

The state minister also said some enthusiastic individuals and organisations have recently been flying Unmanned Aerial Vehicle System (UAV/UAS) and remote-controlled toy aircraft without any permission that may cause sudden accidents with local and foreign aircraft, helicopters and high-speed military planes.

He also noted with concern that the use of UAV/UAS and the flying of remote controlled aircrafts and drone has marked a gradual rise in the country. “That’s why a drone policy is necessary to ensure the security of people and assets both in the air and land.”

Responding to another question from treasury bench MP Wasiqa Ayesha Khan (Reserved seats for women), Mahbub Ali said Biman Bangladesh has taken steps to launch flight between Dhaka-Manchester by early next year.

He also said the government has taken various initiatives, including the completing the automation of ticket selling, checking necessary expenditure, misuse of money and ensuring in time flight schedule, to turn Biman into a profitable organisation.

In reply to a question from ruling party MP Momtaz Begum (Manikganj-2), Mahbub Ali told the House that the government has taken some steps for the development and expansion of the country's existing airports, including Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Cox's Bazar Airport, Chattogram’ Shah Amanat Airport and Sylhet’s Osmani International Airport.