Cops Warn Against Using Drone Cameras

Stating that some persons were using drone cameras in marriage functions and other events under the Rachakonda limits without obtaining permission from the police and the Director General of Civil Aviation, the Rachakonda Police Commissioner directed all the managements/owners of function halls / gardens / farm houses / resorts / hotels under the Rachakonda limits to take note of the rules in vogue and ensure strict compliance.

In case any violations were noticed, stern action against the concerned would be taken as per law, he warned.

The Commissioner stated that the DGCA, Safdarjung Airport, New Delhi, had issued a public notice on October 7, 2014, stating that the use of UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) posed both safety and security threats. The airspace over the cities of India had high density of manned aircraft traffic, and due to lack of regulation, operating procedures/standards and uncertainty of the technology, UAS posed dangers of air collisions and accidents.

He further stated that the civil operation of UAS require approval from the Air Navigation Service Provider, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Home Affairs and other security agencies concerned beside the DGCA. The Director General of Civil Aviation was in the process of formulating the regulations for use of UAS in the Indian civil airspace. Till such regulations were issued, no non-government agency, organization or individual would launch a UAS in the Indian civil airspace for any purpose whatsoever, he said.

Drones have been banned in India since October 2014, regardless of their use. Despite that, several people were using them in functions / events / ceremonies etc., the Commissioner said. In a recent incident that occurred on 6th August 2017, for a similar violation (using a drone without the required permissions), a case was booked against the organisers of the Wheelathon Cycle Rally in the Nacharam P S limits of Rachakonda, he said.