VISAKHAPATNAM: City police have been conducting meets with the city-based photographers and wedding organisers not to use drone cameras without prior permission and banning. There was a rapid increase of use of drone photography here in Vizag, especially at the Beach road, Jagadamba junction region, which has been reportedly disturbing the movements of flights during taking-off and landing.
Usage of drone cameras for pictures and videos for weddings has been in huge demand in Vizag. Especially the drone shots along the coastal stretch with couples and wedding scenes are most of the public sought for. The photographers and wedding organisers have been charging additionally about Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000 for drone shots or videos. The city police have already instructed photographers not to use drones unless and until they have permissions, but a number of photographers ignore it. The issue has become serious and even has been causing disturbance to the flights' movements.
Very recently, a meet was conducted to discuss over such issues by the Joint Collector with the Airfield Environment Management Committee, who bought all the problems. The JC has strictly instructed the police officials to curb such activities for the safety of the public.
"One Town, Beach road stretch are the two main areas where such drone usages are high. Not only wedding photographers or event organisers, number of youth are using drones on hire to create videos recording beauty of Visakhapatnam. Though its simple to use, it has been causing severe disturbance to flights", said a senior police official on condition of anonymity. He also added "Even usage of unauthorised focus lamps, as well as balloons in the same region, is also causing a problem for flights take off and landing at Visakhapatnam airport during nights, which has been also being informed to the organisers of events"
City cops have been conducting meetings with the local photographers and wedding organisers over the issue. Police appealed them to take prior permission for usage.
"Apart from flight movements, defence establishments nearby and public sector industrial units, so we have imposed curbs. We are also chalking out plans to seize the equipment and take action as per law if drones are used without prior permission", said a Police official from Visakhapatnam police commissionerate.