Bhubaneswar/Kataka: The Odisha government has intensified security and logistical preparations for President Droupadi Murmu’s three-day visit to the state beginning August 3, with the Kataka district administration issuing a “No Drone Zone/No Flying Zone” order around key venues.
In an official order dated July 29, Kataka Collector Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde declared the Jagadguru Kripalu University at Banara in Banki, along with helipads, designated safe houses, VVIP routes, and other security-sensitive locations in the district, as restricted areas for unmanned aerial vehicles. The prohibition on drones, UAVs, powered paragliders, microlight aircraft, and similar devices will remain in force from August 1 until the President’s departure.
The order, issued under relevant provisions of the BNSS Act, 2023, follows a request from the Superintendent of Police and aims to ensure foolproof security during the high-profile visit. Violations will attract seizure of devices and penalties under the Drone Rules, 2021, and the Aircraft Act, 1934.
The Sub-Collector, Banki, has been named the nodal officer for enforcement.
On Tuesday, the government held a high-level review meeting under Chief Secretary Anu Garg at Lok Seva Bhawan to assess readiness across Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Ganjam districts. Senior officials, including Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Hemant Sharma, Director General of Police Y B Khurania, and district collectors and SPs, reviewed arrangements for the President’s engagements, with particular focus on sanitation, road infrastructure, traffic regulation, emergency services, and seamless coordination between departments.
According to the itinerary, President Murmu is expected to arrive in Bhubaneswar by special aircraft from New Delhi on the afternoon of August 3. She will proceed by road to Jagadguru Kripalu University near Banki in Cuttack district to inaugurate the institution before returning to Bhubaneswar for the night. On August 4, she will travel by train to Brahmapur—keeping in view monsoon conditions—followed by a road journey to Taptapani in Ganjam district. There, she will offer prayers and perform aarti at the revered Maa Kandhuni Devi Temple in T Gobindapur panchayat under Sanakhemundi block and participate in a tree plantation programme.
The schedule also includes a visit to the Dhabaleswar Temple near Brahmapur-Gopalpur. She is slated to stay overnight in Brahmapur and return to Bhubaneswar by train on August 5 before flying back to the national capital.
In Ganjam district, local authorities have ramped up efforts to ensure a dignified visit to Maa Kandhuni Devi Temple. Extensive cleaning drives under the Swachh Bharat Mission, road repairs, infrastructure upgrades, and power supply checks are underway. Senior officials, including the Collector and Superintendent of Police, have conducted site inspections, while security has been strengthened around the temple and surrounding areas.