Drone deployment by Coal India arm delayed by COVID-19 SECTIONS Last Updated: May 23, 2021, 08:52 PM IST Share Synopsis Deployment of high-end drones at coalfields by CMPDI, a subsidiary of Coal India, is getting delayed due to COVID-induced lockdowns and other restrictions in several states, even though the company has secured approval for using the equipment from the Centre. Agencies Deployment of high-end drones at coalfields by CMPDI, a subsidiary of Coal India, is getting delayed due to COVID-induced lockdowns and other restrictions in several states, even though the company has secured approval for using the equipment from the Centre, an official said. Central Mine Planning and Design Institute (CMPDI), the research and technical arm of the miner, is one of the organisations in the country to introduce drones for conducting coalfield survey.