Drone, aerial activity banned across Pune amid heightened security concerns

Time of India

15-05-2025

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Pune: Authorities have enforced a temporary ban on drones and other aerial devices across Pune city and its rural areas in response to growing security concerns following the Indian Army's
Operation Sindoor
.
Joint commissioner of police Ranjan Sharma issued a prohibitory order on Wednesday, banning the operation of drones, paragliders and similar aerial equipment within Pune city limits for 30 days, till June 12.
Exceptions would only be made for aerial surveillance operations conducted by the police department, which would require prior written permission. The ban, which falls under Section 163 of the Indian Civil Security Code, is designed to prevent any potential threats posed by aerial devices, especially from anti-national elements who may target religious sites, tourist locations and VVIPs.
The Pune district administration already imposed a similar ban in rural areas from March 17 to May 20. Officials said the order is likely to be extended for two months. "We are not granting any permissions currently and plan to extend the order after May 20," an official from the Pune collectorate said.
The district issued the order in March and also raised concerns over night-time drone activities, particularly in Daund, Baramati and Shirur talukas, where authorities received multiple complaints from residents.
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The earlier directive also highlighted that drones have been used by terrorist organisations for surveillance of religious sites, dams and critical institutions.
The Pune district collector's office had made prior police approval mandatory for any drone activity related to event management or commercial purposes. Without proper clearance, such activities would be considered illegal.
In addition to security concerns, the authorities noted that sand smugglers also use drones to monitor law enforcement activities.
"This step is necessary from a security standpoint, as several central institutions and sensitive locations are situated across different parts of the district," said a senior district official.
Within Pune city limits, drone operations fall under the jurisdiction of the city commissionerate, with the special branch serving as the nodal agency for approvals. In rural areas, the Pune rural police are responsible for permissions.
Pune SP Pankaj Deshmukh said that the city order would be applicable to rural areas too. "The orders will be issued," he said.
To tackle the rising problem of unauthorised night-time drone flights, the Pune rural police recently procured anti-drone technology and formed a special task force under the SP. Officers in this task force underwent training in drone monitoring and control.
Incidents of unauthorised drone activity have in the past raised an alarm.
For instance, in Sept 2023, three tourists from Hyderabad were booked by the Lonavala police for flying a drone near the restricted Air Force Station zone. Similarly, in 2021, a youth was booked for flying a drone near INS Shivaji, a sensitive military area in Lonavala.
Pune: Authorities have enforced a temporary ban on drones and other aerial devices across Pune city and its rural areas in response to growing security concerns following the Indian Army's Operation Sindoor.
Joint commissioner of police Ranjan Sharma issued a prohibitory order on Wednesday, banning the operation of drones, paragliders and similar aerial equipment within Pune city limits for 30 days, till June 12.
Exceptions would only be made for aerial surveillance operations conducted by the police department, which would require prior written permission. The ban, which falls under Section 163 of the Indian Civil Security Code, is designed to prevent any potential threats posed by aerial devices, especially from anti-national elements who may target religious sites, tourist locations and VVIPs.
The Pune district administration already imposed a similar ban in rural areas from March 17 to May 20. Officials said the order is likely to be extended for two months. "We are not granting any permissions currently and plan to extend the order after May 20," an official from the Pune collectorate said.
The district issued the order in March and also raised concerns over night-time drone activities, particularly in Daund, Baramati and Shirur talukas, where authorities received multiple complaints from residents.
The earlier directive also highlighted that drones have been used by terrorist organisations for surveillance of religious sites, dams and critical institutions.
The Pune district collector's office had made prior police approval mandatory for any drone activity related to event management or commercial purposes. Without proper clearance, such activities would be considered illegal.
In addition to security concerns, the authorities noted that sand smugglers also use drones to monitor law enforcement activities.
"This step is necessary from a security standpoint, as several central institutions and sensitive locations are situated across different parts of the district," said a senior district official.
Within Pune city limits, drone operations fall under the jurisdiction of the city commissionerate, with the special branch serving as the nodal agency for approvals. In rural areas, the Pune rural police are responsible for permissions.
Pune SP Pankaj Deshmukh said that the city order would be applicable to rural areas too. "The orders will be issued," he said.
To tackle the rising problem of unauthorised night-time drone flights, the Pune rural police recently procured anti-drone technology and formed a special task force under the SP. Officers in this task force underwent training in drone monitoring and control.
Incidents of unauthorised drone activity have in the past raised an alarm. For instance, in Sept 2023, three tourists from Hyderabad were booked by the Lonavala police for flying a drone near the restricted Air Force Station zone. Similarly, in 2021, a youth was booked for flying a drone near INS Shivaji, a sensitive military area in Lonavala.