Drones to help deliver medicines in remote areas of Maharashtra's Surgana

NASHIK: In an effort to bridge healthcare gaps in remote terrain, the Nashik district administration has successfully conducted trial runs of a drone-based emergency delivery system, promising quick medical access to tribal and cut-off villages, especially during the monsoon when roads vanish under water.

The pilot, carried out in Surgana taluka’s hilly border area in collaboration with IIT-Bombay, showcased how modern technology can turn hours-long journeys into minute-long life-saving missions, offering relief to nearly 25,000-30,000 residents in 20-25 vulnerable villages.

“Border areas in the Surgana taluka such as Khirdi, Bhati, and Pimpalsond are surrounded by hills, valleys, and sharp ghat turns. During the monsoon, heavy rainfall frequently causes water to submerge small bridges and roads, while landslides completely cut off these villages from the main taluka. In such adverse conditions, getting timely treatment for snakebites, accidents, or acute illnesses becomes very challenging. To overcome these obstacles and ensure rapid healthcare access, the district administration and taluka health department planned this drone project alongside an expert team from IIT-Bombay,” said tehsildar Ramji Rathod.

The trials saw drones flying from Ambode primary health centre to remote locations such as Khirdi and Bhati, while also covering 10-12km stretches connecting Umbarthan and Pangarane to interior hamlets like Pimpalsond, Umbarpada, and Tatapani. What would normally take hours by road during monsoon disruptions was completed in just minutes.

“With the help of this modern technology, essential medicines, life-saving vaccines, medical equipment, and laboratory blood samples can be transported to remote pockets within a short timeframe,” the officer said.

Officials said the initiative marks a shift in how disaster response and healthcare delivery can be reimagined using technology, particularly in geographically isolated regions where traditional infrastructure fails.

Rathod added that drone integration will significantly boost emergency response efficiency for control rooms and ensure timely intervention in critical cases while reducing dependency on unreliable road networks.

The drones, capable of carrying up to 8kg payload, are set to be deployed in regular operations soon. Six health department personnel will undergo specialised training and obtain certified piloting licences.