Case Study: Our Drone Logistics at Girnar with Heavy-Lift Tech
Girnar Hill, located in Gujarat, rises to an altitude of approximately 3,660 ft, and is one of India’s most revered pilgrimage destinations. Every year, over 10 lakh (1 million) pilgrims and tourists visit its five key Tungs (temple peaks), including the Jain Temple Complex, Ambe Mata Temple, the Temple of Saint Gorakhnath, Kalika Temple, and Guru Dattatreya Temple. Steeped in history and spirituality, each Tung adds to Girnar’s rich cultural and religious heritage.
For centuries, devotees had to undertake an arduous journey, climbing more than 5,000 steps to reach these temples. The Girnar Ropeway, inaugurated in October 2020, has significantly improved access for pilgrims, reducing travel time to just 7–8 minutes. Even with all advancements, one thing hasn’t changed at Girnar Hill, which is related to delivering logistics on the hill. There are no facilities for this, and all things need to be carried by foot, whether it’s daily essentials, temple supplies, or waste management.
Now imagine doing this every single day, in all kinds of weather, up and down those steep steps. It’s physically exhausting, time-consuming, and not always reliable.
This is the core problem we’re solving. Once you truly understand how challenging it is for people and supplies to move up Girnar, you’ll see why our drone solution is not just helpful, it’s necessary. It’s not about replacing people’s efforts, but about supporting them where traditional transport simply can’t go.
Recognising these challenges, BonV Aero introduces Our High-altitude Logistics UAV, a cutting-edge drone logistics aerial vehicle. Designed for extreme terrains and high-altitude operations, it promises to revolutionise logistics at Girnar. By combining advanced drone technology with a sustainable approach, Our Drone ensures reliable and efficient transportation of goods and supplies while preserving the ecological balance and sacredness of this site.
This logistics drone case study highlights how BonV Aero’s Logistic Drone is improving transport at Girnar. Built for high-altitude and tough terrain, it offers a faster, eco-friendly way to deliver supplies while protecting the site’s spiritual and natural environment.
About Girnar Hill & Its Temples
Neminatha Jain Temple: Starting point, located at ~3,000 ft.
Ambe Mata Temple: Elevated at ~3,500 ft.
- Distance: ~3 km by road, ~1 km aerial.
Temple Of Saint Gorakhnath: Located at ~3,300 ft.
- Distance: ~4 km by road, ~1.5 km aerial.
Kalika Mata Temple: Positioned at ~3,800 ft.
Guru Dattatreya Temple: The highest Tung, located at ~3,660 ft.
- Distance: ~5 km by road, ~2.5 km aerial.
Logistics Challenges on Girnar
- Rugged Terrain: The steep ascents, sharp elevation changes, and narrow pathways between the Tungs make conventional transport methods labour-intensive and time-consuming. Porters, who regularly carry 20-30 kg loads on their backs, along with animals, serve as the primary modes of transport. However, these methods are limited in capacity, prone to delays, and physically demanding, making logistics increasingly difficult.
- Elevation Differences: The five Tungs vary significantly in elevation, complicating the transportation of essential supplies like food, water, medical kits, and construction materials. For example, the Jain Temple is located at approximately 3,000 ft, while the Guru Dattatreya Temple sits at over 3,600 ft. Without mechanised transport, moving supplies up the steep slopes is a challenging and labour-intensive process.
- Unpredictable Weather: Monsoons bring heavy rains that make the pathways slippery and dangerous, while high winds and fog further challenge logistics. Extreme temperatures, ranging from scorching summers to cold winters, add to the difficulty of manual transport, affecting both labourers and animals.
- Labour Shortages & Construction Delays: Due to the physically demanding nature of the job, only a limited number of porters are willing to take on this work. This shortage of labour slows down construction and maintenance projects at the hilltop, making it difficult to improve facilities for pilgrims and restore heritage structures in a timely manner.
- Environmental Concerns: The heavy reliance on manual labour, animals, and fuel-powered vehicles contributes to environmental degradation. These methods disrupt the fragile ecosystem and leave a carbon footprint that threatens the area’s natural beauty.
- Time Constraints: Traditional logistics can take hours to transport goods between Tungs. This delay is particularly problematic for emergency supplies like medical aid or repair materials needed during festivals and peak pilgrimage seasons.
- Operational Inefficiencies: The increasing footfall of pilgrims has led to congestion and delays in the supply chain. Managing logistics with limited resources adds pressure to temple authorities and impacts the overall experience for visitors.
How BonV Delivers
- Faster and Reliable Deliveries: Our drones reduce delivery time compared to traditional methods, navigating challenging terrains quickly and autonomously.
- Resilient in Extreme Weather: Their robust design, including its ability to operate in temperatures from -20°C to 55°C and withstand wind speeds up to 40 km/h, ensures functionality in harsh conditions.
- Zero Carbon Emissions: We operate without emitting greenhouse gases, offering an eco-friendly logistics solution.
- Cost-Effective Operations: Drones eliminate the need for extensive manual labor and reduce reliance on traditional fuel-based vehicles, cutting costs.
- Versatile Payload Capacity: With modular pods and payload options ranging from 10 to 40 kg, we cater to a wide variety of logistics needs.
- Autonomous and Efficient Flights: Equipped with BVLOS capabilities and self-flying technology, our drones ensure minimal human intervention while maintaining high precision and efficiency.
Our Logistic Drone Enabling High-Altitude Deliveries in India
Our high-altitude logistics drone represents the future of drone deliveries. Designed, developed, and manufactured indigenously by BonV Aero, it is tailored for high-altitude operations, ensuring reliability in rugged terrains.
Key Features
- Payload Capacity: Modular pods capable of carrying 10-20 kg (scalable to 40 kg).
- Altitude Capability: Operates efficiently at 15,000 ft AMSL, ideal for Girnar’s elevations.
- Autonomous Operations: Equipped with Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) and self-flying systems for efficient and safe deliveries.
- Robust Design: Built with aerospace-grade aluminum alloy for durability and longevity.
- Fail-Safe Mechanisms: Automatic handling of low battery, communication loss, and adverse weather.
- Ground Control Station (GCS): Enables real-time monitoring, autonomous flight planning, and encrypted communication.
- Operational Versatility: Capable of night operations with infrared cameras and weather-resistant features.
How Our Drone Helps on Girnar Hill
Proposed Use Cases:
- Medical Support: Immediate delivery of first-aid kits and emergency supplies to pilgrims.
- Infrastructure Development: Transport of lightweight construction materials for washrooms, medical rooms, and other facilities.
- Pilgrim Welfare: Efficient delivery of food, water, and other necessities to remote temple areas.
- Disaster Management: Quick relief operations during landslides or extreme weather events.
Our High-Altitude Drone Impact
- Neminath Jain Temple to Guru Dattatreya Temple:
- Traditional: 4 hours.
- Only 2 minutes from one temple to another.
- Ambe Mata Temple to Gorakhnath Temple:
- Traditional: 1.5 hours.
- Only 2 minutes from one temple to another.
Performance and Capabilities
| Features | Details |
| Payload Capacity | 10-20 kg |
| Payload Capacity | Up to 15,000 ft AMSL |
| Flight Modes | Self flying Mode, Manual Mode, Return-to-home |
| Charging Time | Less than 2 hrs |
| Camera | Day and Night Camera |
| Payload Drop Mechanism | Modular Dropping, Parachute Dropping |
| Take off and Landing Area | 10m x 10m |
| Operating Temperature | -20°C to 55°C |
| Wind/Gust Resistance | Up to 40kmph |
| Operating Crew | 2 (1 Pilot + 1 Ground Crew) |
Comparative Analysis: Traditional Logistics vs. Our Logistic Drone
| Aspect | Traditional Logistics | Our Logistic Drone |
| Time Efficiency | 3-4 hours per delivery | ~5-10 minutes |
| Cost | High (labour, vehicles) | Reduced operational costs |
| Environmental Impact | High carbon emissions | Zero emissions |
| Payload Limitations | Restricted by manual labour | Up to 20 kg per trip |
| Accessibility | Limited by terrain | Terrain-independent |
Economic Impact and Benefits
1. Reduced Logistics Cost Over Time
- While initial drone deployment may require investment, Our system drastically reduces recurring expenses like porter wages, animal upkeep, fuel, and manual transport infrastructure maintenance.
- Autonomous operations mean fewer personnel are needed for daily logistics.
2. Faster Supply Chain: Quick delivery of temple supplies, food, and medical aid leads to more efficient operations and better service to pilgrims, translating into higher visitor satisfaction and repeat visits.
3. Boost to Pilgrim-Driven Local Economy
- Improved logistics support allows more timely stocking of food, beverages, and essentials for vendors and temple shops. This helps boost sales and enhances the livelihood of locals.
- Enables smooth operation of temporary stalls, events, and religious festivals.
4. Support for Infrastructure Projects: Faster and more reliable delivery of materials (bricks, water tanks, tools) accelerates construction and maintenance, helping complete projects sooner and avoid cost overruns.
5. Waste Management Efficiency: Reduced manual load and quicker evacuation of waste using drones improves cleanliness, making the site more attractive for tourists, and lowering sanitation-related costs.
6. Disaster Readiness: In cases of landslides or extreme weather, the drone can quickly resume supply lines, preventing major economic losses due to shutdowns or emergency rescues.
7. Tourism Revenue Growth: Enhanced safety, convenience, and services make the site more attractive to senior citizens and families, leading to longer stays and increased spending in the local hospitality sector.
8. Scalable Use Across Similar Sites: The same Drone system can be replicated at other pilgrimage or hilly tourist locations across India, lowering deployment cost per site and creating economies of scale.
A New Era in Hilltop Transportation
The spiritual and cultural significance of Girnar deserves logistical solutions that match its reverence and scale. BonV Aero’s Autonomous Drone System offers a future-ready alternative, with its autonomous capabilities, heavy payload capacity, weather resilience, and zero-emission operations. It not only alleviates the physical burden on workers and animals but also introduces a more scalable, sustainable, and responsive approach to serve pilgrims, temple authorities, and support teams.
As Girnar continues to attract millions of visitors annually, integrating aerial logistics can vastly improve operational efficiency, preserve the environment, and uphold the sanctity of this sacred hill while also setting a precedent for heritage sites across India.
BonV Aero is committed to supporting such transformation with cutting-edge drone solutions engineered for impact, accessibility, and reliability because no place of faith should be out of reach.
