Puri: The Civil Aviation ministry has rejected the application of Odisha government to declare Puri Grand Road (Bada Danda) as "No Flying Zone" during the upcoming Rath Yatra Festival starting July 14, 2018.
With lakhs of devotees and tourists expected to congregate at the 12th century shrine during Rath Yatra, Odisha Police had urged the Aviation ministry to declare the area, where the car festival will take place as 'No Flying Zone'.
Conveying the ministry's response, Puri Superintendent of Police, Sarthak Sarangi today said that the Centre has turned down the proposal citing that since it is an international route for air services, it cannot be declared 'No Flying Zone'.
“Since overseas passenger jets fly 35,000 feet above the sea level they do not impose any security threat, however if any aircraft flies below 10,000 feet then they will alert us,” Sarangi added.