Bhubaneswar: In a significant move, the Odisha government has curbed the use of drones during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the state and directed the District Collectors to declare the venues as ‘no drone zone’.
According to reports, the Director of Intelligence, Odisha Police, has written to the Director of Information and Public Relations (I&PR) asking the latter to circulate this information to all media organisations.
It is worth mentioning here that during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Odisha on May 6, security personnel observed some media persons using drones to take visuals of Modi at public meetings, rallies, and roadshows. The authorities view this as a threat to the VVIP.
The Director of Intelligence has asked the District Collectors to declare all places of the Prime Minister’s scheduled visits as ‘no drone zone/no flying zone’ with proper display and signage at all the venues.
“Flying drones by media personnel, organisers, and event management teams should be strictly prohibited near the vicinity of the VVIP,” said the order.
The Bhubaneswar DCP, Kandhamal, Baragarh, and Bolangir SPs have been directed to restrict the flying of drones near the venues where the Prime Minister is scheduled to visit on May 10.