Delhi Police on Tuesday issued a notice declaring a ban on the operation of various flying objects, including paragliders, para-motors, hang-gliders, Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), Unmanned Aerial System Services (UASs), microlight aircraft, remotely piloted aircraft, hot air balloons, small-sized powered aircraft, and quadcopters over the jurisdiction of the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi in view of the G20 summit to be held on September 9 and 10. The prohibition has been enforced for a period of 15 days, starting Tuesday (August 29).
Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora cited concerns about potential threats to public safety, dignitaries, and vital installations during the G20 summit. The notice stressed that criminal, anti-social elements or potential terrorists with hostile intent towards India might exploit sub-conventional aerial platforms such as para-gliders, para-motors, hang-gliders, UAVS, UASS, microlight aircraft, remotely piloted aircraft, hot air balloons, small-sized powered aircraft, quadcopters, or even para-jumping from aircraft.
"Now therefore, I Sanjay Arora, Commissioner of Police, Delhi in exercise of the powers conferred upon me by section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 read with Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi's Notification No. U-11036/3/1978 (i) UTL dated 01.07.1978, do hereby prohibit flying of sub-conventional aerial platforms like para- gliders, para-motors, hang-gliders, UAVS, UASS, microlight aircrafts, remotely piloted aircrafts, hot air balloons, small sized powered aircrafts, quadcopters or even by para-jumping from aircraft etc over the jurisdiction of the NCT of Delhi during the G20 Summit 2023 in the National Capital of Delhi and doing so shall be punishable u/s 188 of the Indian Penal Code," the notice read.
"As the notice cannot be served individually on all concerned, the order is, hereby, passed ex-parte. It shall be published for information of the public through press and affixing copies on the notice boards of the offices of all DCSP/Addl. DCSP/ACSP/Tehsil Offices, all Police Stations and Offices of the NDMC/MCD/PWD/DDA/Delhi Cantt. Board," it added.
This prohibition is brought into take effect from tonight and will remain enforceable for a period of 15 days, up to and including September 12, 2023, unless repealed earlier.
The summit is likely to be attended by 29 heads of state as well as top officials of the European Union and invited guest countries and 14 heads of international organisations.