Bhubaneswar: In the wake of reports of frequent use of drones (unmanned aircraft systems)/UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles), the state government sounded alert in three coastal districts asking the local administration to take precautionary measures to avoid possible sub-conventional aerial threat at important places, especially in airports.
The general administration department has instructed collectors of Khurda, Cuttack and Puri districts to take necessary precautions and ensure safety and security arrangements to avoid such threats caused by these unmanned aircraft.
The state government’s move followed intelligence gleaned by the Airport Authority of India that there are possibility of sub-conventional aerial threat to state airports and informed the state government to take “controlling measures” on an urgent basis. 
The AAI pointed out that though precautionary measures have been taken at the Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) here, reports have been received from different air space users that a number of drones/UAVs are flying in places near Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Puri.
“Though these drones flying have not so far resulted in any untoward incidents, yet they remain a potential threat to aviation safety,” the AAI said in its letter to GA department.
Additionally, AAI also underlined that these flying objects “can be potential threat to security.”
Notably, the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) which had earlier put a blanket ban on flying of drones by non-government agencies and individuals came out with draft guidelines in April 2016 for civil use of UAV/drone that mandate users to secure permit and a unique identification numbers for their operations.
However, allegations of drones flying without requisite permission in parts of the state, especially in the capital city, can’t be ruled out.
Sources further said that the state government which initiated a process to draft guidelines for drone users last year is yet to come up with it.
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