New Delhi, Feb 8 (NationPress) The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has developed a strategic roadmap for the establishment of a scalable model pilot air corridor that would link Gurugram, Connaught Place, and Jewar International Airport. This initiative aims to significantly decrease transit times and provide an impactful solution to urban congestion.

The CII report, titled 'Navigating the Future of Advanced Air Mobility in India', was inaugurated by Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu. It is also anticipated to assist in achieving India's Net-Zero 2070 objectives through the implementation of zero-emission electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft technology.

According to a CII statement released on Sunday, establishing a clearly defined and empowered Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) regulatory function within the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will guarantee the safe and effective integration of AAM solutions such as eVTOL and air taxis into Indian airspace.

This specialized entity within the DGCA will concentrate on formulating airworthiness, operational, and safety standards specifically designed for emerging technologies, including eVTOL aircraft and low-altitude urban flight operations. The report presents a phased and structured strategy for the secure integration of next-generation air mobility solutions into India's aviation landscape.

By collaborating with urban planning organizations and Smart City initiatives, the report emphasizes the importance of incorporating AAM corridors and vertiport locations within master plans to ensure land accessibility, multimodal connectivity, and integration of battery charging infrastructure.

As India gears up for advanced air mobility, rooftop vertiports present a practical, scalable, and cost-efficient solution, particularly in major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. However, under the current DGCA regulations, routine commercial vertical take-offs and landings from rooftops are not yet allowed, and any future developments will hinge on the progression of relevant regulatory frameworks and safety assessments.

Rooftops have been suggested as a viable solution due to the high costs and delays associated with acquiring land for new ground-based vertiports. Utilizing existing and underutilized real estate on rooftops allows for swift deployment, with vertiports ideally situated within commercial hubs, hospitals, tech parks, and residential towers—closer to where populations reside and work.

The report also urges public financial institutions, including SIDBI, banks, and governmental grant agencies, to create specialized financing instruments for Advanced Air Mobility. Such instruments could include sector-specific infrastructure funds, venture leasing mechanisms, or credit enhancement facilities aimed at minimizing investment risks and facilitating long-term capital influx.

Additionally, the report advocates for drone-based logistics operations with a focus on cargo and essential medical supplies over distances of 50 to 100 km. It emphasizes the necessity for early planning concerning take-off and landing facilities, encouraging the identification of high-potential urban regions such as NCR, Bengaluru, and Mumbai via Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).

By grounding its analysis in a corridor-based case study and emphasizing operational and regulatory readiness, the report titled 'Navigating the Future of Advanced Air Mobility in India' serves as a crucial reference for policymakers, regulators, investors, and industry stakeholders who are shaping the next phase of safe, scalable, and sustainable three-dimensional mobility in India.