Sundarbans Registers Breakthrough as Drone Delivers 70 kg Fish in Historic Trial

Sunderban; December 2025: In a ground-breaking technological milestone for West Bengal’s fisheries sector, a drone has successfully transported 70 kilograms of fish, showcasing the immense potential of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in modernizing aquaculture logistics. The trial, held at Minakha in the Sundarbans, marks a major step toward revolutionizing fish transport in remote and infrastructure-challenged regions.

The demonstration was carried out by the ICAR–Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CIFRI), Barrackpore, under the leadership of Dr. Basanta Kumar Das, Director, ICAR-CIFRI. Supported by funding from the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Department of Fisheries, Government of India, the initiative aims to link remote aquaculture clusters with local markets through drone-based delivery systems.

Government representatives, scientists, and progressive fish farmers attended the event, witnessing a transformative moment for the fisheries sector. Dr. Das, Chief Guest, emphasized the government’s dedication to promoting innovations that enhance supply chain efficiency and farmer welfare. He stated that drone-based transport can reduce spoilage, ensure quicker access to markets, and significantly improve returns for fish farmers, particularly in areas with inadequate road connectivity.

Guest of Honour Mr. Sariful Islam, MD, Glaucus Agrochem Pvt. Ltd., commended the scientific rigor behind the project. He noted that the successful trial reflects India’s readiness to adopt cutting-edge technologies to address real-world challenges in the fisheries sector.

The initiative was scientifically coordinated by Ms. Chayna Jana, Scientist, ICAR-CIFRI, who oversaw the technical and logistical execution. The heavy-lift drone, developed with the support of Marut Drone Pvt. Ltd., demonstrated stability, endurance, and temperature control essential for transporting perishable commodities. The trial team included Mr. S. P. Roy of Glaucus Agrochem Pvt. Ltd., research scholars Mr. Arysanta Roy, Mr. Chandan Kumar, Mr. Sauvic Nayak, Mr. Afzan Khan, and technical experts from Marut Drone.

Although the target payload was 100 kg, the safe and efficient delivery of 70 kg is a significant first-step achievement, yielding critical data for future scaling. ICAR-CIFRI highlighted that drone logistics can drastically reduce transport time, a crucial advantage for the Sundarbans where waterways and poor road networks often delay fish movement.

The next phase of the project will focus on achieving the 100-kg payload consistently, refining flight routes, and establishing protocols for commercial expansion across West Bengal and beyond. With this successful trial, Minakha has opened new horizons for India’s fisheries logistics.

Team Maverick.