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The Mandya district administration has strictly prohibited the use of drone cameras, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, (UAV) or Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) within a radius of 15 km of the travel locations of Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan during his visit to Melkote on Sunday, November 9. Deputy Commissioner of Mandya Kumar issued an order banning the use of the aforementioned instruments ahead of Mr. Radhakrishnan’s scheduled visit to the Cheluvanarayana Swamy Temple at Melkote in Pandavapura taluk of Mandya district on Sunday. The Deputy Commissioner, who has directed the police department to enforce the order, has warned that any violation of the order will result in legal action. The order refers to the communication from the Director of State Intelligence in Bengaluru that the use of drone cameras for commercial, recreational, or any other purposes in a densely populated country like India poses risks to air traffic safety and security. Heightened security Meanwhile, security has been heightened in Melkote ahead of the Vice-President’s visit. In addition to the security which to be provided by the local police, Indian Army personnel and the Vice-President’s special security teams will be handling the duties. Bomb disposal squads, rapid action teams, fire and emergency services personnel, and Home Guards will also been deployed. Mr. Kumar and Superintendent of Mandya district police Mallikarjun Baladandi conducted a security inspection at the landing and take-off sites of the Vice-President’s helicopter in front of the Melkote Primary Health Centre on Friday. He was accompanied by officials from the Indian Air Force (IAF), who conducted a test landing and take-off to check the security arrangements. The Vice-President, who is also expected to deliver the 16th convocation address at JSSAHER in Mysuru on Sunday, is scheduled to arrive in Melkote by a special IAF helicopter. While there is space only for the Vice-President’s helicopter to land at the ground in front of the Melkote Primary Health Centre, helipads for the security team and army helicopters accompanying the Vice-President have been arranged at SET Polytechnic grounds, a statement said. Minister for Agriculture N. Cheluvarayaswamy, who is also the Minister in charge of Mandya district, is expected to receive the Vice-President and accompany him during his visit to the Cheluvanarayana Swamy Temple.
