Puri becomes no-fly zone before Rath Yatra, there will be complete ban on flying drones from 16 to 27 July

Odisha: The district administration has taken a major decision to further strengthen security in the city of Puri, Odisha, in view of the world-famous Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath. The administration has declared a five-kilometer radius in and around Puri city as a no-fly zone from July 16th to July 27th. During this period, the operation of any drone or other unmanned aerial vehicle (UAS) without permission will be strictly prohibited.

Puri Collector and District Magistrate Dibyajyoti Parida issued an official order in this regard on Friday. According to the order, security agencies have taken this precautionary measure in view of the large number of devotees expected to arrive in Puri during the Rath Yatra.

According to the district administration, the Rath Yatra is one of the largest religious events in the country and the world, with millions of devotees arriving in Puri to pay obeisance to Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra. Controlling air traffic has been deemed necessary to avoid any security risks amid such a large crowd.

The order states that this decision was taken in light of the current security situation and the potential threat posed by unauthorized unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and drones. The administration believes that unauthorized drone flights could hamper security and lead to accidents or other risks in crowded areas.

According to the notification, the operation, flying, or launching of any type of drone, UAS, or other unmanned aerial vehicle will be strictly prohibited in the notified area from July 16th to July 27th. This ban will be effective within the five-kilometer radius of Puri city and its surroundings.

The district administration has clarified that anyone found flying a drone or other unmanned aerial vehicle despite the ban will face strict legal action. Violators will be prosecuted under the Indian Civil Safety Code, 2023 (BNSS), the Aircraft Act, 1934, the Aircraft Rules, 1937, and the Drone Rules, 2021. If necessary, drones may be confiscated and criminal charges may be filed against the individual involved.

However, the administration has clarified that this ban will not apply to drones operated by authorized government agencies for official purposes, including aerial surveillance, security management, crowd control, aerial photography, videography, mapping, documentation, disaster management, and other government functions.

The police, administration, disaster management department, and other security agencies will utilize modern technology to monitor security during the Rath Yatra. Authorized drones will ensure crowd monitoring, traffic management, and immediate response to any emergency.

The administration states that multi-layered security arrangements are being made in view of the presence of millions of devotees during the Rath Yatra. Additional police force deployment, CCTV surveillance, traffic management, and special security arrangements at sensitive locations are already underway in the city.

The district administration has appealed to citizens, tourists, drone operators, photographers, and content creators to strictly follow the issued instructions. Avoid flying drones without permission and obtain prior permission from the relevant authorities for any type of aerial recording.

Experts say that in light of recent incidents of unauthorized drone use at major religious events, similar security measures are being adopted in many states across the country. This facilitates security agencies in crowd management and addressing potential threats.

Millions of devotees from India and abroad are expected to arrive in Puri during the Rath Yatra. The administration’s priority is to ensure the safety of the devotees, smooth traffic flow, and a peaceful event. The declaration of a no-fly zone is considered an important step in this direction.

The administration has appealed to the public for cooperation, urging them to immediately report any suspicious activity to the police or administration and to follow all security guidelines. Officials are confident that with the cooperation of all relevant departments and the general public, Lord Jagannath’s Rath Yatra will be conducted safely, systematically, and successfully this year as well.