Drones, laser beams prohibited near Delhi Airport for 2 more months

The use of drones and laser beams has been banned near the Delhi Airport for two more months as it poses a serious security threat.

The Delhi Police have prohibited the use of unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) and the use of laser beams near the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport for two more months. The decision has been taken in view of the serious security threat of a terrorist attack. It is also said to be hazardous for aviation safety. The area comes under the jurisdiction of the Sub-Division of Palam.

The present order will remain enforced for only two months, from February 12 till April 12. Currently, there are no rules and regulations to regulate the use of laser beams, especially in the open during night hours.

An order prohibiting these items from Delhi Police read that there have been frequent reports based on credible information that terrorists have plans to carry out terror attacks by using UAS including drones, para-gliders and hang-gliders, UAVs, aero-models. Therefore, its use by members of the public is prohibited.

Bijender Singh, Assistant Commissioner of Police, told TOI that incidents where pilots get distracted by laser beams when trying to land aircraft have been reported.

The presence of banquets, hotels, farm houses and restaurants in the area also uses a lot of lights in the area, including laser beams. This further leads to nuisance and visual distraction to pilots. It also poses a danger to the safety and security of passengers and the aircraft.

Earlier, on the Republic Day celebrations, the police had put a ban on the use of sub-conventional aerial platforms like para-gliders, para-motors, hang gliders, UAVs, UAS, micro-light aircraft, remotely-piloted aircraft, hot air balloons, small-size powered aircraft, quadcopters or even para-jumping from aircraft.

ALSO READ| Woman swallows 51 capsules containing 501 gm of heroin, arrested at Delhi's IGI airport