Chandigarh declared 'no flying zone' for drones on July 10, 16-17, ahead of VVIP visits
Chandigarh, July 9
The Chandigarh Administration has declared the entire Union Territory a 'No Flying Zone' for drones and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles on July 10 and July 16-17 ahead of two VVIP visits: Vice-President CP Radhakrishnan's Shimla-bound visit and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the region.
The release stated that the District Magistrate Nishant Kumar Yadav, IAS, issued two separate orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, citing the increasing threat posed by drones carrying Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and the need to ensure the security of VVIPs and the general public.
According to the orders, a VVIP is scheduled to visit Chandigarh on July 10, while another VVIP movement is planned for July 17. As a precautionary measure, the flying of drones and UAVs has been completely prohibited across the Union Territory during the notified periods.
The restrictions will remain in force from 00:00 hours on July 10 until the end of July 10, and from 00:00 hours on July 16 until the end of July 17, respectively.
The orders exempt law enforcement and security agencies, including the Police, Para-Military Forces, Indian Air Force, SPG personnel, and any other persons specifically authorised by the competent government authority.
The District Magistrate stated that the prohibitory orders have been issued considering the emergent nature of the security situation and have been promulgated ex parte. Any violation of the orders will invite legal action under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and other applicable provisions of law.
The orders will be publicised through notice boards at the District Magistrate's office, District Courts, Chandigarh, and through local newspapers via the Department of Public Relations.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Typical VIP culture! 🤦♂️ Common man's convenience gets sacrificed every time a politician visits. Why can't they use alternative security measures without affecting everyone? Already dealing with traffic jams, now this drone ban. At least give us some compensation for the inconvenience.
As someone who works in drone photography, this is frustrating but understandable. The IED threat via drones is real – there have been incidents globally. I'll just have to reschedule my shoots. At least they announced it in advance rather than a last-minute surprise.
Section 163 BNSS gives them authority, but why always blanket bans? Why not issue individual permissions for genuine users like farmers, surveyors, or filmmakers? This just shows our security apparatus still lacks nuance in threat assessment. 😔
Good move by the administration. We live in dangerous times, and drones are a real security risk. The PM and VP are national assets – their safety must be prioritised. Just wish they'd publicise these orders more widely, not just through newspapers which few read these days.
I'm a DJI drone owner in Chandigarh. While I understand security needs, this feels like an overreaction. Daily restrictions for multiple days? What about hobbyists and students practicing for competitions? The administration should consult stakeholders before imposing blanket bans. 👎
R We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.