Mumbai Police no longer want UAS

A report from the Indian Express

In a turnaround that is expected to raise eyebrows, the Mumbai Police has officially informed the Maharashtra Police headquarters that it does not want the proposed unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) as part of its equipment upgrade to keep an eye on the city. The decision has been communicated after the government sanctioned the first UAV for use by the traffic department of the city police.

Sources revealed that on the instructions of Mumbai Police Commissioner Arup Patnaik, a letter was sent by the Mumbai Police to the Deputy Inspector-General (Provisions) Ashok Dongre four days ago, rejecting the UAV that was sanctioned for the city and citing reasons for the decision.

“A proposal had been sent last year by the Mumbai Police for UAVs and in this year’s budget a UAV costing around Rs 1 crore was sanctioned for surveillance of traffic in the city. However, in the letter sent to the state police headquarters, the Mumbai Police said it does not want the UAV since it does not, at this stage, have the capability to maintain and operate it,” said a senior Mumbai Police officer, who did not wish to be named.