In a bid to curb the unregulated usage of drones during Rath Yatra, the Puri police has come up with a set of guidelines for flying drones in the pilgrim town, particularly on the Bada Danda (Grand Road).
Rath Yatra 2023: Restriction Imposed on Flying Drones in India
The set of guidelines will particularly be strictly followed from Rath Yatra to Niladri Bije of Lord Jagannath and his siblings.
“It has been observed that during the Rath Yatra period, many private persons/drone operators use drones for taking pictures and videos for various purposes. Unregulated drone usage by inexperienced drone operators poses risk to the safety of devotees. In the past legal action against a few private persons for violating Drone Rules have also been taken,” a notification issued by the Puri Police read.
Keeping in view the safety and security of Sri Jagannath Temple, Sri Gundicha Temple, the chariots of the deities, and the safety and security of the devotees, the Puri police has issued the following advisory for the flying of drones between 20 June 2023 to 1 July 2023.
1. Sri Jagannath Temple is declared a red zone as per the provisions of The Drone Rules 2021 and no flying of drones is allowed over the premises of the temple as per rule 22.
2. No Drone operator should fly drone without a valid UIN (unique identification number) issued by the DGCA (Director General of Civil Aviation).
3. No Drone operator should fly drone without the valid documents as per the Drone Rules 2021.
4. Drone operators will be responsible for any mishap involving damage to property or injury to person.
5. Drone operators shall verify the restrictions imposed by DGCA on digital sky platform before flying as per rule 21 of the Drone Rules.
6. No drone will be allowed to fly in close proximity of the three chariots or over Sri Gundicha Temple.
7. Any infringement of the Drone Rules is a punishable offence. In the past one YouTuber was arrested by Puri Police for violating the provisions relating to flying of drones.
8. A single window system will function in Puri for verification of documents of the drones. The single window will function at office of SDM, Puri BT Sahoo (9437234023) and at office of Additional SP Mihir Panda (9437537937) at District Police Office, Puri. Either office can be visited by drone operators for document verification.
9. Puri Police would be using drones for monitoring Traffic, crowd density and beach security during the aforementioned period in Puri City and Grand Road. Puri Police will also keep a tab on un-authorized drone usage and legal action against violators would be taken as per Law.
10. For any query / complain related to drones Puri Police Helpline Number 6370967100 can be contacted. Puri Police request all to co-operate.