Cyberabad Police bans drone flights due to Vice President's visit

HYDERABAD: Cyberabad Police Commissioner Avinash Mohanty imposed a ban on the operation of remotely controlled drones, para-gliders, and micro-light aircraft in the Alwal, Genome Valley, and Madhapur Police Station areas under the Cyberabad Police Commissionerate.

The ban will be in force on April 26 during the visit of Vice President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar, who is accompanied by his spouse, Dr. Sudesh Dhankhar.

The Police Commissioner noted that anyone who violated this order would be subject to punishment under the relevant sections of the law.

Commissioner Mohanty referred to a prior warning issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs on May 10, 2019, stating that terrorist and anti-social elements might use para-gliders, remotely controlled drones, or micro-light aircraft to conduct attacks. He added that there was a growing trend among event organisers and others to use drones for aerial views during live telecasts and photography of various events.

The Ministry's warning recommended that State and Union Territory police, under various sections of their respective police acts and the IPC, should prohibit the flying of such aerial platforms within a five-kilometer radius of state secretariat complexes in state capitals, as well as a one-kilometer radius around other vital installations.

Given the possibility of attacks by terrorist and anti-social elements using para-gliders, remotely controlled drones, or micro-light aircraft, Commissioner Mohanty emphasised that these activities could endanger public safety and breach public tranquility. Therefore, it was necessary to impose reasonable restrictions within the limits of the Cyberabad Police Commissionerate to prevent attacks via these means.