PRAYAGRAJ: Besides making elaborate security arrangements for the influx of domestic and foreign tourists during Mahakumbh, the world’s largest religious gathering, the Mehra police are also gearing up to turn the entire Mehra campus into Drone-free zone.
Mehra police have acquired specialized anti-drone technology and software to neutralize illegal drones without causing unnecessary harm.
SSP (Kumbh Mela) Rajesh Dwivedi told TOI exclusively: “There will be a drone no-go zone in the Mela campus and Multiple layers of security Will be in place to ensure safety for large religious and spiritual events.
He added, “Police successfully conducted an exercise to identify illegal or unlicensed drones operating within the Mela campus and further removed or disrupted them from the Mela area.” However, he made it clear, ” Only licensed and valid license holders may operate drones in accordance with established instructions and guidelines.”
The restrictions will affect all 25 departments at the Mera campus. In addition, enhanced security measures will include multi-layered cordons, patrols and anti-drone checks during major festivals, with police deploying a total of 20 advanced drones to maintain strict surveillance.
Here, the police have been directed not to allow private parties or film or documentary makers etc. to fly any unmanned aircraft (i.e. drone) in the Mehra area without valid permission. Any such permission, if any, will be granted after due verification of the background of the relevant party. Police are also asked to exercise caution when using drones.
In recent years, drones have become popular in metropolitan and small circles, and the police have also conducted multiple stages of attempts. In fact, police mainly use drones to maintain high-tech surveillance during festivals or rallies.
Experts point out that civilian drones are small unmanned aerial vehicles, usually equipped with cameras, used for surveillance, recording and communication purposes. Most drones are less than two meters long, less than one meter wide and weigh less than two kilograms. Experts added that they fly at about 40 km/h.
They are mainly designed to cover an area of about 500 meters, and like the Wedding Panda, the average drone can fly a distance of 50 feet. They are controlled via remote control from the ground station. However, police are set to tighten drone rules and operators will need permission to fly in the Mela campus.
