New Delhi: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has given nod for conducting feasibility study of COVID-19 vaccine delivery using drones in collaboration with IIT Kanpur.

In a statement, the Ministry of Civil Aviation stated that the Ministry and Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have granted conditional exemption to the ICMR for conducting feasibility study of Covid-19 vaccine delivery using drones in collaboration with IIT Kanpur. "The permission exemption is valid for a period of one year or until further orders," the Ministry said. The conditional drone use exemption has been granted to Nagar Nigam of Dehradun, Haldwani, Haridwar and Rudrapur for preparation of GIS based property database and electronic tax register for a period of one year or until further orders.

The consent to use drones was also approved to the West Central Railway (WCR) Kota and Katini for train accident site and maintaining safety and security of the railway assets for a period of one year from the date of issue of the letter.

In addition to these, Vedanta Limited (Cairn Oil and Gas) also received the conditional drone usage exemption for data acquisition for asset inspecting and mapping till April 8, 2022. "These exemptions shall be valid only if all conditions and limitations as stated for the respective entities are strictly adhered to. In case of violation of any condition, the exemption shall become null and void and action may be initiated by MoCA and DGCA," the Ministry said.

REGISTRATIONS FROM APRIL 28

All above 18, now eligible for vaccination from May 1, can register for their jab from April 28 on the CoWIN platform and Aarogya Setu, the government informed.

"Don’t get misguided by rumours/news stating that registration for vaccination of 18+ citizens to start from 24th April 2021! The registrations will start on the #CoWIN platform and Aarogya Setu App from 28th April 2021 onwards. Stay informed, stay safe! (sic)," tweeted MyGovIndia, the Government of India's official citizen engagement platform.

Apart from Serum Institute of India's Covishield and Bharat Biotech's Covaxin, Russia's Sputnik will soon be used, the government stated. Serum on Wednesday said that its vaccine would be sold at Rs 400 to states and at Rs 600 to private hospitals.

(With agency inputs)