Dibrugarh bans drone operations ahead of PM’s Namrup fertiliser plant opening

Additional district magistrate Pranjal Boruah on Monday issued the order under Section 163 of the BNSS, 2023, prohibiting the flying, operation, or use of any unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones within a 2-km radius of several sensitive locations.The restricted areas include the venue of the mega foundation stone laying ceremony at the AVFCCL plant in Namrup, the helipad near the ceremony venue, Assam Medical College Hospital in Dibrugarh, and Duliajan Oil Hospital in Duliajan. The prohibition will remain in effect from 6 am on Dec 20 to 6 pm on Dec 22.“Whereas, it has been brought to the notice of the undersigned that the use of unmanned aerial vehicles commonly known as Drones, poses a potential threat to public safety, security and law and order,” the official order said, citing immediate preventive measures necessary to avoid disturbance to public tranquillity and safety of life and property.“Violation of this order shall invite penal action under section 223 of the BNSS, 2023 and other relevant provisions of law,” the administration said in the order.However, the ban exempts drones operated by govt agencies, law enforcement authorities, or emergency services, provided prior permission is obtained from the additional district magistrate or any officer authorised on his behalf.The order comes as part of security arrangements being put in place for the PM’s visit to lay the foundation of what will become the single largest urea-producing unit in the northeast. Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal and CM Himanta Biswa Sarma had earlier conducted a detailed review of preparations at the Namrup venue, inspecting both the foundation stone ceremony site and the public rally venue where a gathering of around 1.24 lakh people is being expected.The landmark ammonia-urea complex, being developed by Assam Valley Fertilizer Corporation Limited (AVFCCL), represents a major collaborative venture with the Assam govt holding the largest equity stake at 40%. Key public sector undertakings, including National Fertilizers Limited, Oil India Limited, Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Limited, and Brahmaputra Valley Fertilizer Corporation Limited serve as partners in this transformative project.With an ambitious annual production capacity of 12.7 lakh metric tonnes of urea, the facility is specifically designed to address the fertiliser requirements of farmers across Assam and neighbouring states, marking a milestone for the North East's agricultural development.The PM’s visit is part of a two-day programme in Assam. On Dec 20, he will inaugurate the new terminal building of the Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati before proceeding to Namrup the following day for the foundation stone ceremony and public rally.Officials have been working on multiple fronts to ensure the event's success, with detailed plans encompassing security arrangements, infrastructural readiness, logistical support, and crowd management protocols.