Drone Deliveries: Faster, But Not Cheaper – India Joins Global Race

• India joins the global race for drone deliveries, but cost-effectiveness remains a significant challenge.
• Drones are currently more expensive than traditional delivery methods, costing up to seven times more than vans for a single package.
• High costs are driven by drone manufacturing, maintenance, limited carrying capacity, regulatory hurdles, and the need for human oversight.
• While economically viable for remote healthcare and difficult terrains, drones struggle with profitability in crowded urban areas.
• Though not immediately replacing human riders, long-term job security concerns are rising among gig workers due to automation prospects.

Why It Matters: Drone deliveries offer speed but face significant cost barriers, making them supplementary, not a replacement yet.