Drone Flights Banned at Atal Tunnel North Portal Ahead of President Murmu’s Lahaul-Spiti Visit.
Shimla:
In view of President Droupadi Murmu’s proposed visit to Lahaul-Spiti on October 7, 2026, the district administration has imposed a series of security and regulatory measures around the Atal Tunnel North Portal to ensure the safety of the President and maintain law and order during the visit.
Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate Lahaul-Spiti Kiran Bhadana has declared the Atal Tunnel North Portal and its adjoining areas a “No Drone/Unmanned Aerial Zone” with immediate effect. The order prohibits the operation of drones and all types of unmanned aerial devices in the designated area.
The administration has also temporarily suspended tourism and commercial activities around the North Portal during the period of the proposed visit. According to the order, all vendors, tourism operators and persons associated with activities such as ziplining, river rafting and other related tourism operations will not be permitted to conduct their activities from October 5 to October 7, 2026.
In addition, all vendors and other persons occupying space in the designated area have been directed to remove their temporary or permanent setups and vacate their allotted or occupied premises by September 30, 2026.
The restrictions have been introduced as part of the district administration’s security and protocol arrangements for the President’s visit. The administration has directed all concerned departments and officials to ensure strict compliance with the order and maintain close coordination for its effective implementation.
Superintendent of Police, Lahaul-Spiti; Divisional Forest Officer, Lahaul Forest Division, Keylong; Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Keylong; and Tehsildar Lahaul, Keylong, have been instructed to coordinate with all concerned agencies and ensure effective enforcement of the directions.
The administration has appealed to vendors, tourism operators and the general public to cooperate with the authorities and follow all instructions issued in connection with the visit.
Officials said the temporary restrictions are aimed at strengthening security arrangements and ensuring smooth management of the area during the President’s proposed visit. The administration has urged everyone concerned to cooperate in maintaining security, public order and a smooth movement of the President’s convoy during the visit.
