Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Security measures have been stepped up in North Goa ahead of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s scheduled visit to the state on September 6 and 7, with the District Magistrate imposing temporary restrictions on road excavation, aerial recording and drone operations in designated areas.
North Goa District Magistrate Ankit Yadav issued the orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. The restrictions will take effect at 6 pm on September 5 and continue until 7 pm on September 7.
Under the road-related order, digging or cutting of roads along identified stretches will not be permitted without prior approval from the District Magistrate. The areas covered include NH-66 between Zuari Bridge and Merces Circle, the GMC service road leading towards Taj Cidade de Goa Horizon at Dona Paula, and NH-748 from Merces Circle to Old Goa.
Provision has been made for essential and emergency works involving services such as water, electricity and sewerage. However, such works will require applications through the concerned departments, supported by recommendations and reasons for the work.
The administration has separately prohibited aerial photography, videography and UAV operations within a 2-km radius of several locations linked to the Home Minister’s programme. These include Taj Cidade de Goa Horizon at Dona Paula, the new State Office Building at Chimbel, Old Goa and the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium at Bambolim.
The drone and aerial activity restrictions will also extend to the specified road corridors covered by the order.
Government departments, agencies and police personnel using drones for authorised official purposes have been kept outside the prohibition, subject to the conditions laid down by the authorities.
Shah will be in Goa on September 6 to inaugurate the BJP’s new state headquarters, BJP Bhavan. His programme on September 7 includes an interaction with BJP’s state leadership and an address to party workers.
The administration has stated that anyone violating the restrictions could face legal action under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
