Mumbai: 22-year-old man detained for flying drone in Colaba

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) declared Mumbai a ‘Red Zone’, completely prohibiting the operation of drones in the city. Representational Pic/File

A 22-year-old man was detained by the Colaba Police in Mumbai on Monday for flying a drone without police permission near the Taj Hotel in south Mumbai, an official said.

The man is a native of Andhra Pradesh, police said.

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The drone was first spotted by the Quick Response Team (QRT) while they were on patrol duty. Upon spotting it, the team traced the signal to a vehicle parked near a jetty close to the Gateway of India. Inside the vehicle was the man operating the drone with a remote controller. He was flying the drone in the Taj Hotel area, unaware that it is a sensitive zone designated by the Mumbai Police for security reasons.

He was allegedly unaware that special permission was required to fly drones in the area, officials said. His drone - a grey DJI Air 3S - and its remote controller, valued at around Rs 70,000, were seized by the police.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) declared Mumbai a ‘Red Zone', completely prohibiting the operation of drones in the city.

The restriction, which will remain in force till June 3, includes all types of drones and similar equipment such as remote-controlled microlight aircraft, paragliders, hang gliders, and hot air balloons.