The draft guidelines announced by Union Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapati Raju on Wednesday for unmanned flying devices came up short of expectations of drone enthusiasts in the city. The regulations bar flying of drones near national parks, wildlife sanctuaries beside the high-security zones and strategic locations like Vijay Chowk in Delhi. The final Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) for drones are likely to be released by December, according to a civil aviation official in Delhi.
“Only the aspect of safety has been considered. The issue of privacy has not been taken into consideration as nano drones are being exempted from acquiring a unique identification number. The aviation regulator has acted like an agent for aviation and not like a privacy protector,” said Owais Farooqui who is pursuing research on aviation issues.
But the draft guidelines are a move away from the policy stasis from the time drones were banned in October 2014 and draft guidelines were issued in April 2016 by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.
Nano drones, those weighing below 250 grams, would be exempt from seeking one-time approval, including the issuance of Unique Identification Number.
The new guidelines to be followed up by CAR will ease the life of drone enthusiasts and recreational flyers. Drones have become a common sight in most weddings in the city with shoots inside the wedding halls and sometimes in open spaces. Hyderabad police have explicitly banned use of drone, invoking Section 188 of IPC. In August, the organisers of a rally were booked for using a drone to videograph the event by Nacharam police.
“Hopefully this will change the situation. When I get a project, I have to apply for permission for the specific event. Everything is verified including the equipment, only then I am able to film it. One of my applications for a film shoot was rejected though it was a recreational space. Other videographers who are using drones have to do it without notice but now this will change,” said Vinay Mahankali, who has flown drones to photograph government events and functions.
The new guidelines, specify that users will have to require Unique Identification Numbers for their drones. “If it is going to be a one-time procedure and no fly zones for drones are demarcated, life will become easy for people like me who fly drones for fun and recreation. Earlier, I was worried about even transporting drones. This will change if the regulations are notified quickly,” said Sanjay Reddy, a drone enthusiast from the city.
