Mumbai: Mumbai police on Tuesday banned the use of drones in city, fearing that the unmanned aircraft could turn into weapons in the hands of terrorists.
Initially, curbs against drones were in effect till September 9, the day the Ganeshotsav comes to an end. However, Mumbai police commissioner Rakesh Maria said restrictions would continue until such time that a considered regulatory mechanism on the use of drones is established.
"We would not like them to be used during Ganesh festival due to security concerns," Maria told Mirror. "The prohibition will continue even post-festival." All local police stations have been directed to identify sellers and owners of drone and serve them the ban notice.
While unmanned aircraft have been used by the city police for crowd surveillance on five occasions in the past two years (to monitor political rallies and religious processions), the commercial application of drones is largely in advertising, filmmaking and event management — one pizza company in Parel even attempted to use a drone to deliver snacks to its client in May this year, prompting the police to examine the use of these aircrafts by non-governmental agencies.
05/08/14 Abhijit Sathe and Aditya Anand/Pune Mirror
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Initially, curbs against drones were in effect till September 9, the day the Ganeshotsav comes to an end. However, Mumbai police commissioner Rakesh Maria said restrictions would continue until such time that a considered regulatory mechanism on the use of drones is established.
"We would not like them to be used during Ganesh festival due to security concerns," Maria told Mirror. "The prohibition will continue even post-festival." All local police stations have been directed to identify sellers and owners of drone and serve them the ban notice.
While unmanned aircraft have been used by the city police for crowd surveillance on five occasions in the past two years (to monitor political rallies and religious processions), the commercial application of drones is largely in advertising, filmmaking and event management — one pizza company in Parel even attempted to use a drone to deliver snacks to its client in May this year, prompting the police to examine the use of these aircrafts by non-governmental agencies.
05/08/14 Abhijit Sathe and Aditya Anand/Pune Mirror
