New Delhi (Agency): The administration in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, has issued an order prohibiting the flying of drones over select locations in the city, including the Gorakhnath Temple, without prior permission. Officials stated that the ban will be applicable within the jurisdictions of the city’s police stations, and any violation of the order will be considered a criminal offence.
The order, recently issued by Additional District Magistrate Anjani Kumar Singh, mandates that prior permission from the city magistrate must be obtained for flying drones over and around specific locations. These locations include the Gorakhnath Temple, the fertilizer plant operated by Hindustan Urvarak and Rasayan Ltd, AIIMS, the railway station, and within a 2-km radius of the Mahayogi Gorakhnath University, including Gorakhnath Arogyadham Balapar Sonbarsa.
According to the order, anyone planning to fly a drone in these restricted areas must submit an application for permission at least seven days before the planned drone activity.
This decision comes in response to an incident in which a drone was spotted near the Gorakhnath temple on Monday. The individual responsible, Mayank Baranwal from the Nathmalpur area, flew the drone to record a video of the Gorakhnath Temple without obtaining the required permission. The police confiscated the drone, and a case was registered against Baranwal under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code for violating prohibitory orders in the district. The violation occurred in the context of festivities in the ongoing month of Sawan.
The new order aims to regulate drone usage in critical areas of the city, ensuring that drones are operated responsibly and in compliance with local regulations. It reflects growing concerns about the potential misuse of drones, particularly in sensitive locations, and the need for clear guidelines and enforcement to mitigate potential risks.