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Drones can ferry small batches of cement

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Ankit Kumar, Co-Founder and CEO, Skye Air, highlights the advantages of drone deliveries for the cement industry to improve the overall operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the supply chain.

What is the environmental impact that drone deliveries can create?
Drone deliveries have the potential to significantly reduce environmental impact compared to conventional delivery methods. By utilising drones, the carbon footprint of last-mile delivery can be slashed by eliminating the need for vehicles and vans, which emit greenhouse gases during transport. In fact, studies have shown that drone deliveries can reduce carbon emissions by up to 80 per cent compared to traditional delivery methods. Additionally, drones provide more direct routes, minimising congestion and further lowering emissions.
Furthermore, Skye Air’s implementation of drone technology can contribute to a substantial decrease in air pollution. Traditional delivery vehicles, powered by fossil fuels, contribute significantly to air pollution, whereas drones operate on cleaner energy sources, such as electricity. As a result, the adoption of drone technology by Skye Air could lead to a notable reduction in harmful pollutants released into the atmosphere.
It’s worth noting that Skye Air is committed to continuous monitoring and optimisation of its operations to ensure that the environmental benefits of drone delivery are maximised. Through data-driven analysis and innovative strategies, Skye Air aims to further enhance the efficiency and sustainability of its drone delivery services.
In conclusion, while drone deliveries offer significant environmental benefits, rigorous management and innovation are essential to mitigate any potential negative effects and ensure the long-term viability of drone delivery operations.

Tell us about the efficiency created by drone delivery systems.
Skye Air has spearheaded a paradigm shift in the logistics industry by substantially augmenting efficiency in their drone deliveries. Drones can help circumvent traditional road networks, bypass traffic congestion and surmount logistical impediments, facilitating expeditious and direct transportation of goods. This heightened efficiency is particularly conspicuous in exigent circumstances, such as the delivery of medical supplies to remote regions or the expeditious fulfillment of urgent orders. By harnessing the capabilities of drones, Skye Air optimises delivery routes, curtails fuel consumption, and mitigates the overall operational costs inherent in conventional delivery methodologies.
Indeed, empirical data underscores the efficacy of drone deliveries, showcasing a significant reduction in delivery times by up to 50 per cent compared to traditional methods. Moreover, drone deliveries have been shown to minimise fuel usage by approximately 60 per cent, contributing to substantial environmental conservation efforts.
Furthermore, the automation of the delivery process not only expedites operations but also bolsters efficiency, resulting in enhanced customer satisfaction rates. With streamlined processes and expedited turnaround times, Skye Air sets a new standard for excellence in the logistics domain.

What is the role of digitalisation and technology in your delivery and transport system?
In Skye Air, digitalisation and technology serve as pivotal catalysts in revolutionising our delivery and transport system. Through the integration of cutting-edge drone technology like Skye UTM, we have established a streamlined and efficient delivery process. Our drones are equipped with state-of-the-art navigation systems and sensors, enabling precise and secure delivery routes. Skye UTM stands as the most advanced and indigenised Aerial Traffic Management platform, designed to furnish situational awareness, autonomous navigation, risk assessment, and traffic management to all drone and aerial mobility operators across the airspace. Skye UTM has already facilitated successful BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) drone flights. The Skye UTM captures over 255+ parameters of UAV movements, storing them in its ‘Black box’, which comprises a published systematic description of the entire flight. This platform offers the inaugural 3-Dimensional view of the drone airspace, alongside operations and regulations mapping servers, furnishing the latest airspace status, verified paths, and exhibiting real-time UAV movements. Furthermore, our digital platforms empower customers to seamlessly place orders and track their deliveries in real-time. This digitalisation not only amplifies the velocity and precision of our deliveries but also ensures transparency and accountability throughout the entire process.

Can drone deliveries be incorporated with the cement industry in the future?
In the foreseeable future, the incorporation of drone deliveries holds promise for integration within the cement industry, presenting efficient and swift transportation solutions for materials. The sophisticated drone technology prevalent in logistics stands poised to collaborate seamlessly with cement companies, optimising their supply chain operations. Drones can ferry small batches of cement or other construction materials to remote or challenging-to-access locations, thereby diminishing reliance on conventional transportation modes such as trucks and mitigating logistical complexities. Through the strategic utilisation of drones, the cement industry stands to bolster its efficiency, curtail costs and elevate overall operational efficacy.

  • Kanika Mathur

Concrete

BMC Cement Concretisation Cuts Pothole Repairs By 70 Per Cent

Project worth Rs 170 billion (Rs 170 bn) aims to concretise 1,900 km by 2027

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The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s cement concretisation project, valued at Rs 170 billion (Rs 170 bn), has reduced expenditure on pothole repairs by 70 per cent over three years. Spending on repairs fell from Rs 2.02 billion in 2023–24 to Rs 1.56 billion in 2024–25 and then to Rs 890 million (Rs 890 mn) in 2025–26. The current tender is expected to be about Rs 440 million, representing a further 50 per cent reduction.

The project is being executed in two phases, with Phase I covering 307 km from October 2023 and Phase II covering 370 km from October 2024. The Indian Institute of Technology is auditing Phase II and will now also audit Phase I to ensure quality and accountability. Mumbai’s total road network spans approximately 2,050 km, of which about 1,200 km had been converted to cement concrete before 2022.

Since 2022 an additional 677 km were taken up for concretisation and nearly 71 per cent of that work, amounting to 481 km, has been completed. Municipal officials indicated that 10–15 per cent of the remaining work is expected to be completed by May 2026 and another 10 per cent by December 2026. The entire programme is scheduled for completion by May 2027, by which time nearly 1,900 km of Mumbai’s roads are expected to be fully concretised.

The administration has also developed a real time dashboard that displays detailed information about contracts, contractors and progress and citizens can access the latest updates online. The dashboard includes contact details for the civic officials and contractors responsible for particular roads to enhance transparency and accountability. The commissioner directed that ongoing works be completed by 31 May ahead of the monsoon to safeguard completion targets and minimise disruption.

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Concrete

Shree Cement Approves Rs 1,800 Crore Meghalaya Plant

Integrated unit to be completed by quarter ending March 2028

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Shree Cement has approved the establishment of an integrated cement plant in Meghalaya, signalling a targeted capacity expansion to serve regional demand. The board cleared a unit at Village Daistong in East Jaintia Hills District with a clinker capacity of zero point nine five million tonnes per annum (mn t) and a cement capacity of zero point nine nine million tonnes per annum (mn t). The project was approved on April four, 2026 and is designed as a new addition to the company’s production network where it currently has no existing plant.

The company has earmarked an estimated investment of Rs 1,800 crore (Rs 18 billion (bn)) for the project, which will be financed through a mix of internal accruals and debt. Management has indicated a balanced financing strategy to preserve cash flows while supporting long-term growth and operational investment. The financing approach is intended to avoid over reliance on external borrowing and to maintain financial discipline during the build out.

The plant is expected to improve logistics efficiency and compress distribution distances to emerging demand centres in the north-east, potentially lowering transportation costs and lead times. By locating production closer to demand the company aims to strengthen market access and respond more effectively to regional construction activity. The project forms part of a broader strategy to diversify the production base across geographies and reduce concentration risk.

Execution is planned over a multi-year window with completion targeted by the quarter ending March 2028 and the company will proceed with construction and requisite regulatory clearances. The integrated design is intended to enhance operational control and production efficiency once operational. The decision follows a regulatory filing dated April four, 2026 and the disclosed details have not been independently verified.

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Concrete

WCA Welcomes SiloConnect as associate corporate member

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The World Cement Association (WCA) has announced SiloConnect as its newest associate corporate member, expanding its network of technology providers supporting digitalisation in the cement industry. SiloConnect offers smart sensor technology that provides real-time visibility of cement inventory levels at customer silos, enabling producers to monitor stock remotely and plan deliveries more efficiently. The solution helps companies move from reactive to proactive logistics, improving delivery planning, operational efficiency and safety by reducing manual inspections. The technology is already used by major cement producers such as Holcim, Cemex and Heidelberg Materials and is deployed across more than 30 countries worldwide.

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