Bhubaneswar: The authorities have declared Odisha’s Puri city as a no-fly zone for the upcoming Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath.

Puri Collector and District Magistrate Dibyajyoti Parida today issued an order in this regard.

As per the order, the area within five kilometre radius of Puri city has been declared as a no-fly zone from July 16 to 27 for the annual mega event.

“A massive congregation of devotees is expected in and around Puri during the upcoming Rath Yatra. Keeping in view the prevailing security scenario and the possibility of aerial threats arising from unauthorized operation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)/drones, the area within five kilometre radius of Puri town has been declared as a no-fly zone from July 16 to 27,” said the order.

During the above period, the operation, launching or flying of any unmanned aircraft system (UAS) or drone within the notified area will be strictly prohibited, it added.

Any person found operating a drone/UAS in violation of the prohibition order will be liable for action under the provisions of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita-2023, Aircraft Act-1934, Aircraft Rules-1937 and Drone Rules-2021, said the district administration.

However, the prohibition will not be applicable for drones operated by authorized agencies for official purposes including aerial surveillance, security operations, aerial photography, videography, mapping, documentation, disaster response or any other purpose, it added.