10 hi-tech drones to monitor Gair procession on Rangpanchami

Indore: Ahead of Holi, Indore district administration has introduced a standard operating procedure (SOP) for all participating groups to ensure a safe and organised Rangpanchami Gair procession.Additional commissioner of police RK Singh said the festivity will be monitored by five specialised teams utilising 10 high-tech drones. This aerial surveillance will complement a heavy police deployment, with personnel scheduled for 15 to 16-hour shifts. CCTV cameras will be installed throughout the main and connecting routes to monitor the lakhs of expected participants.All vehicles participating in the procession have been instructed to undergo mandatory mechanical and fitness testing and drivers are required to carry valid licences and undergo breathalyser tests. Those found under the influence of alcohol will be prohibited from operating vehicles. Organisers have been instructed to keep backup drivers ready. As per the instructions, every vehicle must be equipped with fire extinguishers, first-aid boxes, and stretchers.The decision was taken as a lesson from a death reported last year during the procession. One of the visitors, 32-year-old Sunny More, was killed after being run over by a tractor spraying colours during the procession in 2025. The officials have directed immediate removal of low-hanging electrical cables and completion of road patchwork. Secure barricading is mandated at sites with ongoing Metro or construction work, and hazardous buildings along the route will be marked with warning boards.Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) has planned a specialised sanitation drive to clear the streets immediately after the event.Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava said IMC intends to apply for UNESCO heritage status for the Gair tradition. "The more secure and organised we make this tradition, the stronger will be our case for its recognition as a world heritage asset," Bhargava noted.As part of their ongoing preparations, Indore district administration, police, and municipal officials conducted a joint on-site inspection of the traditional route on Saturday.