Gurugram: Panic swept through residents and the district administration in Gurugram, the Millennium City, when a drone carrying frozen chicken crashed in a high-rise residential society.
During the investigation, city police filed a case against the company operating the drone for violating CrPC section 144, which had been enforced in the city due to the scheduled visit of Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.
This incident marked the first of its kind in a residential society, with the Skye Air-operated drone crashing into the G Block of South City II after colliding with a building and descending.
“We have requested the necessary permissions and documents required for its operation during the enforcement of the order. We are currently investigating the matter with the company,” stated a senior police officer.
The Chief Minister’s visit prompted the imposition of CrPC section 144, which included restrictions on unmanned aerial devices at the time.
According to an expert, drones transporting items weighing below 5 kg are permitted, and while the drone’s payload was within the limit, the collision occurred with the building. Such drones require expert handling, especially in congested areas.
The crashed drone was en route to deliver food from Vipul Trade Centre to Fresco Apartments.
“Investigations revealed that an emergency landing was necessary due to an unexpected obstruction. Fortunately, there were no casualties or major damages reported. Skye Air has obtained all necessary permissions from local authorities. The company has conducted thousands of such flights without incident before. We prioritize safety, equipping our drones with parachutes and ADSB,” commented a Skye Air official.
“My son along with his friends were playing in the society after they noticed a humming noise. When they looked above, they heard a loud collision and found a drone falling. It was a miraculous escape for them. Later some residents came and gathered outside of their accommodations to ascertain what happened. They informed the society security following which police rushed to the spot,” Sudha Wadhawa said.