Authorities have designated Srinagar as a “Temporary Red Zone” for the operation of drones and quadcopters, effective immediately. This decision, made under Rule 24(2) of the Drone Rules, 2021, aims to regulate and control drone activities in the city, particularly in light of upcoming significant events.
The announcement was made via a post on X (formerly Twitter) by the Srinagar Police, stating, “Srinagar city has been declared as ‘Temporary Red Zone’ for the operation of drones and quadcopters as per provisions of Rule 24(2) of Drone Rules, 2021 with immediate effect.”
The restriction coincides with the preparations for this year’s International Day of Yoga (IDY) celebrations. Minister of State for Ayush, Prataprao Jadhav, revealed that the celebrations will take place at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar on June 21. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the event, themed ‘Yoga for Self and Society’, which highlights yoga’s profound impact on individual and collective well-being.
Given the high-profile nature of the event and the presence of the Prime Minister, the temporary Red Zone has been established to ensure enhanced security measures. The police emphasized that any unauthorized drone operations within this Red Zone will face penalties according to the relevant provisions of the Drone Rules, 2021. The authorities have urged citizens to cooperate and adhere to the new regulations to ensure safety and compliance.
