Ahead of PM Modi's visit to Mumbai, drones, other flying activities banned in areas near event

Flying activities including the use of drones, paragliders, and remote-controlled micro-light aircraft will not be allowed from noon to midnight in certain areas.

Pic Credit: File Photo

Mumbai: Flying activities will not be allowed under the limits of police stations at Bandra Kurla Complex and nearby areas in Mumbai on Thursday when Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate and lay foundation stones for several projects, police said. The prime minister is scheduled to attend a function to be held on the MMRDA grounds in the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), an upscale commercial hub.

Flying activities ban from 12 pm to 12 am in BKC, Andheri, Meghwadi, and Jogeshwari

Flying activities including the use of drones, paragliders, and remote-controlled micro-light aircraft will not be allowed from noon till midnight under the jurisdictions of four police stations, namely BKC, Andheri, Meghwadi, and Jogeshwari on Thursday, the Mumbai Police said in an order on Wednesday.

Why are flying activities a security concern?

Terrorist or Anti-Social elements may attack using drones, paragliders, remote control micro-light aircraft, etc. Hence such flying activities are banned for the day. There is every likelihood of the breach of peace and disturbance of public tranquillity and also there is a grave danger to human life, health, safety, and injury to public property on that account, the order said.

Security has been beefed up as a large number of VIPs are expected to attend the BKC for the PM's event, a Mumbai police official said.

Few roads closed ahead of PM's visit

A few roads have been closed to traffic. On other roads, traffic will be diverted ahead of the prime minister's visit.

Meanwhile, top BJP leaders including Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis visited the MMRDA ground on Wednesday afternoon along with Special Police Commissioner

Deven Bharati, Joint Commissioner (Law and Order) Satyanarayan Chowdhary, and other top police officers to take stock of the preparations.

PM Modi to visit Mumbai on Jan 19

PM Modi is scheduled to inaugurate and lay foundation stones for a string of projects worth more than Rs 38,000 crore during his visit. He will dedicate to the nation the Mumbai Metro Rail Lines 2A and 7.