In a significant development, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has officially declared Shree Jagannath Temple in Odisha’s Puri as a Red Zone, or a no-fly zone, enhancing security measures around the 12th-century shrine. Sharing information about the development, Puri Superintendent of Police Prateek Singh said that the DGCA move comes after repeated sightings of unauthorised drone flights over the temple premises.
He said the Red Zone status will remain effective for three years, till September 25, 2028. The restriction will apply to unmanned aircraft such as drones, which can pose a significant security challenge. The temple and adjoining areas had earlier been designated as a No-Fly Zone to prevent aerial intrusions and ensure the safety of devotees and the sacred premises.
Odisha Police had applied to the DGCA and acting on the request, it appointed nodal officers to survey the area. Following their recommendation, the DGCA issued a notification on September 25, declaring Shree Jagannath Temple and its surrounding area as a Red Zone, the SP said.
With the Red Zone tag, strict legal action will be taken against any unauthorised drone operations or aerial activities near the temple complex. The move aims to bolster aerial surveillance and safeguard the historic shrine, which attracts millions of devotees from across the world every year.
It may be noted that the Puri police have seized several drones this year for flying around the temple periphery. The police had seized one drone for flying over the shrine on Friday and also registered a case against its operator.
