Finance
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has officially declared the revered 12th-century Jagannath Temple and its surrounding area as a ‘Red Zone.’
Puri Superintendent of Police Prateek Singh verified that the status took effect on September 25, 2025, and will be valid for three years, till September 25, 2028.
Previously, the temple precincts were designated as a ‘No-Flying Zone’ to discourage unauthorised airborne activities and protect the shrine’s holiness as well as devotees’ safety. The new ‘Red Zone’ categorization imposes harsher airspace limitations, which span from sea level to 50,000 feet above the temple.
“The Puri police have been consistently working to protect the Jagannath Temple from any flying objects. We formally requested the DGCA, through the Transport and Communication Department—the nodal agency for civil aviation—to regulate flying activities in this area by declaring it a ‘Red Zone,’” said SP Prateek Singh.
The DGCA’s statement has now been included in its official airspace maps, alerting all aviation operators to the rigorous limitations in force. Unauthorized drones, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and other flying devices found within this zone will be strictly enforced under the Aircraft Act.
In a similar event, police intercepted a drone flying above the temple grounds at around 7:45 p.m. on Friday. Durga Prasad Yadav, a Chhattisgarh citizen, was detained by Singhadwar Police Station as part of an ongoing inquiry.
The additional security measures demonstrate the authorities’ commitment to protecting one of India’s most iconic and revered historic sites from modern dangers.
