Security threat: Centre mulls legislation to control use of drones
At this moment, the biggest threat for airport security is drones. Regular sighting has made it tough as there is currently no counter measures in place to shoot down a flying object. AN OFFICIAL, who attended the meeting on airport security
NEWDELHI: The Union ministry of home affairs (MHA) is planning to bring in a legislation to prevent the misuse of drones, especially near airports of the country.
The Union home secretary recently a meeting to discuss the draft policy and a set of Standard Operating Protocols prepared by the Delhi Police.
On Sunday, the drone-like object was first spotted by the pilot of an international airline during landing which led to the closure of run ways from 11.20 am to 12.20pm.
In the evening, a pilot of Air Asia spotted a similar object and informed the ground staff, following which flight operations were halted for 40 minutes.
The airport security force have been told to treat drone as possible security threats, but there is no guideline as to how to react when a drone is spotted in the vicinity of an airport.
Every month, six to seven cases of pilots getting distracted by different objects while landing/taking off are reported from Delhi airport.
Representative of Delhi Police, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Indian Air Force (IAF) and companies that deals in drones were present in the recently held security meeting that was held .
“At this moment, the biggest threat for airport security is drones. Regular sighting has made it tough as there is currently no countermeasures in place to shoot down a flying object. CISF provides security. But there is no guidelines as to who tackles threats in the air. A discussion has been initiated and soon we will come out with strict guidelines in this regard,” said a source, who was present in the meeting.
Sources said that the Union ministry of home affairs will issue a notification, which will apply for the airports across the country. In the guideline, there will be provision of punishment for those selling and buying drones illegally.
“It was discussed that drones cannot be banned. So the ministry has to regularize the selling and purchase ,” the source added.
Representatives of aviation regulator, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DG CA ), were also present in the meeting and said that they are also preparing a guideline on the usage of any flying objects near the vicinity of airports.
“It was discussed that there should be a common law and it should be strictly implemented ,” a Directorate General of Civil Aviation representative added.