Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Office of the District Magistrate North Goa has imposed restrictions on drone flying, aerial photography and road digging activities in parts of Goa ahead of the visit of a VVIP for the Goa Statehood Day celebrations.
District Magistrate Ankit Yadav issued the orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita citing security arrangements connected to the VVIP visit scheduled on May 29 and 30.
As per the order, flying of any Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), aerial photography and videography has been prohibited within a two-kilometre radius along the route from Zuari Bridge to Lok Bhavan, as well as within a two-kilometre radius around Kala Academy and the CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography.
In a separate order, the District Magistrate also imposed a temporary ban on digging and cutting of roads without prior permission in the following areas:
NH-66 from Zuari Bridge to Merces Junction
Goa Medical College and Hospital to Lok Bhavan via Goa University Road
NIO Circle, Dona Paula to Divja Circle via Miramar Circle
The order stated that only urgent and emergent road-cutting works related to water supply, sewerage, electrical connections and similar essential services would be considered, subject to approval and recommendation by the concerned departments.
The restrictions will come into force on May 29 and remain effective till 5 pm on May 30, 2026.
The orders exempt police personnel and authorised government officials using drones strictly for official duties, subject to carrying valid identity and authorisation documents.
Authorities warned that any violation of the orders would invite action under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
