MUMBAI
In what could cause serious security concerns for the Mumbai Police and other security agencies across the country, a city-based pizza outlet used an unmanned drone to deliver a pizza.
On May 11, Lower Parel-based Francesco's Pizzeria conducted a test flight of the unmanned drone and successfully delivered a pizza to a customer located 1.5km away. The police, who were unaware of this, have expressed serious concerns and will seek details from the outlet.
"All of us had read about (global e-commerce giant) Amazon's plans of using drones. We successfully carried out a test delivery," the outlet's chief executive Mikhel Rajani said. He stressed this was only a test flight but its results confirm that it can be used routinely in a few years.
A four-rotor drone took off with the order from its outlet and delivered it to the terrace of a high-rise residential building in Worli, Rajani said, claiming that it's for the first time that the ubiquitous drone has been used for such a purpose in the country.
The eatery, which has been in operation for two years, has made a video of the delivery, he said, adding an auto engineer friend helped in making the flight possible.
A senior police officer said this was a grave security concern. "We can't have objects flying across the city. It is scary. Unless there is proper police, security mechanism in place, such objects should not be allowed to operate," he added.
Additional commissioner of police (central zone) Madhukar Pandey said Air Traffic Control (ATC) should have been intimated by the pizza outlet. "We are highly concerned about remote-operated aerial vehicles, specially unregulated or unmonitored ones. We will ascertain the facts with the pizza company as well as ATC and take further action," Pandey said.
Zonal deputy commissioner of police Vinayak Deshmukh said, "I am hearing about such a thing for the first time. Also, I think that they need to take clearance from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for flying any such thing."
Sunil Jain, senior inspector of Worli police station, under whose jurisdiction the pizza was delivered, said, "We were not informed about use of any kind of drone and neither did we receive any intimation from the company." The police should have been informed about it, he added.
Meanwhile, Pahad Azad, who put together this project for the pizza chain, said DGCA permission was not sought. "It was a hobby aircraft, which was modified to carry a pizza and, since we were not flying it near any sensitive zone, taking permission from DGCA was not required," Azad said.
He added that the exercise was more of a technology demonstration and they are not planning to start the drone-delivery service anytime soon. "The DGCA has laid down rules according to which a model aircraft can be flown in a visual range, provided it is not near airports and defence facilities," Azad said.
Delhi: All primary schools closed, classes shifted to online mode due to rising pollution levels
BIG trouble for Anil Ambani, criminal charges against his Rs 14422 crore company over...
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 producer calls Singham Again team 'unfair' after the box office win
From Play to Pay, Gaming Is Big Business And A Genuine Professional Prospect
Leasehold vs Freehold: Exploring Options for Expats and Investors in Dubai
Mukesh Ambani's Reliance, Disney complete Rs 70352 crore media merger, to be headed by...
Badshah lands in legal trouble, case registered against rapper for...
GRAP III imposed in Delhi: What is allowed, what is banned amid 'severe' air quality
'Throwing me in deep end': Ricky Ponting takes fresh dig at Gautam Gambhir over Virat Kohli remarks
Revolutionizing Inventory Management in the Cloud Era: Pradeep Kumar’s Strategic Innovations
Delhi: AAP's Mahesh Khichi elected mayor as party defeats BJP in MCD polls
Delhi Air Pollution: GRAP 3 to be imposed in national capital from Nov 15, strict ban on...
WATCH: Inside Rinku Singh's Rs 3.5 crore luxurious house with rooftop bar, private pool
Renowned Yoga Guru Sharath Jois passes away at 53 after suffering heart attack
NASA alert! Giant 'God Of Chaos' asteroid set for close approach to Earth, may trigger astroquakes
UPPSC protest BIG update: RO-ARO exam postponed, PCS prelims to be held in one day
This man earned more money than Mukesh Ambani and world's richest man Elon Musk in one day, he is...
'World's best....': Japan vlogger's reaction to Bengaluru airport goes viral
Sania Mirza named Sports Ambassador of THIS city, not Delhi, Hyderabad, Jaipur
Shloka Mehta turns heads in sleek white gown at Tira store launch, see pics
Amid Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai divorce rumours, Jaya Bachchan surprises everyone with...
IND vs SA: Arshdeep Singh goes past Bhuvneshwar Kumar to become Indian pacer with most....
Mukesh Ambani, Isha Ambani’s luxury retail chain opens new store at...
PM Modi to receive Dominica’s highest national award for...
Shraddha Kapoor says people with big foreheads are…
'Busy making...': Kanhaiya Kumar sparks row with remarks on Devendra Fadnavis' wife; BJP hits back
'Full baarati vibes': Vietnamese man's epic 'nagin dance' steals show at Mumbai event
Tilak Varma credits THIS player for his century against South Africa, says 'He gave me...'
UPSC IFS Mains Admit Card 2024 to be released today at upsc.gov.in, check direct link to download
'Be prepared for...': Rupali Ganguly's stepdaughter Esha Verma REACTS to Rs 50 crore defamation case
Saudi, Iran: Cautious dance toward détente?
Anushka Sharma shares glimpse of Children’s Day special dish for daughter Vamika, son Akaay
Jaw-dropping! Man wraps massive green anaconda around his shoulders, internet says...
Donald Trump plans to end Russia-Ukraine war with THIS move, is expected to 'soon' appoint...
As pollution worsens in Delhi with AQI at 'severe' level, experts at COP29 urge India to...
SDM Assault Case: 60 people arrested in Rajasthan's Tonk
Veg thali cost more than non-veg thali in October, here's why
Land drug trafficking patterns in North-Eastern Region
Shillong Teer Result November 14, 2024: Know updates on lucky winning numbers
Mukesh Ambani's SUPERHIT offer for Jio users: Get unlimited validity for 84 days at just Rs...
Delhi air quality dips to 'severe' category as AQI nears dangerous...
Bigg Boss OTT-fame Bhojpuri actress Akshara Singh receives extortion threat
‘All I do is…’: After Arjun Kapoor confirms breakup with Malaika Arora, her cryptic video goes viral
World Diabetes Day 2024: Types, causes, precaution to avoid this chronic disease
Children's Day 2024: 50 WhatsApp wishes, messages, quotes to share on bal diwas
AUS vs PAK Live Streaming: When and where to watch Australia vs Pakistan 1st T20I live in India?
IND vs SA: Ramandeep Singh achieves THIS feat on T20I debut, joins Suryakumar Yadav in elite list
Meet man who used to earn just Rs 65, now heads Rs 23416 crore company, he is…