Jharsuguda: In view of the upcoming visit of President Droupadi Murmu to western Odisha, the Jharsuguda administration has imposed a complete ban on drone flights and all other aerial activities across the entire district on April 21, designating it as a “No Drone Zone” or “No Flying Zone.”
The stringent measure, covering all forms of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), drones, paragliders, and other flying objects, has been enforced through a special order issued by the District Magistrate and Collector to ensure foolproof security during the high-profile visit.
Jharsuguda SP G R Raghavendra has directed police forces to maintain heightened vigilance and implement robust security arrangements. Any violation of the no-drone directive will invite strict legal action under relevant provisions. The administration has also appealed to the public for full cooperation to maintain law and order and ensure the smooth conduct of the President’s visit.
President Murmu is scheduled to land at Veer Surendra Sai (VSS) Airport in Jharsuguda at around 10.25
am on April 21 before proceeding to Rourkela by helicopter for a series of public engagements and project inaugurations. She is expected to return to Jharsuguda later in the day for her departure to New Delhi.
President Murmu’s itinerary in Rourkela includes inaugurating a mega recreational park at Koel Nagar and science park and planetarium at Chhend Colony and Rourkela One Project at Civil Township near Hockey square, which comprises the Integrated Command and Control Centre, tribal museum and auditorium. She is also slated to attend a cultural programme by about 2,500 school and college students and interact with self-help groups after lunch at the Panposh circuit house.
Union Tribal Affairs Minister and Sundargarh MP Jual Oram has highlighted that the visit will give a significant boost to the region’s development and cultural heritage.
Meanwhile, Rourkela police have made detailed plans for multi-layered security cover with 50 platoons of forces deployed for the venue at Sector 13 and the convoy routes of the President. Additional DGP Sanjeeb Panda visited Rourkela on Friday and reviewed the security arrangement with DIG (Western Range) Brijesh Kumar Rai, Rourkela SP Nitesh Wadhwani and other senior officers. She is scheduled to arrive at Rourkela at around 11.05 am and depart at around 4.05 pm.
This is Murmu’s first visit to the Steel City as the President.
Sundargarh collector Subhankar Mohapatra said elaborate security arrangements have been made in strict adherence to the Blue Book protocol. Adequate air conditioners, coolers, drinking water kiosks and other necessary provisions would be set up at the venue to prevent heat stroke-related incidents, he added.