Punjab has extended Section 144 for another 30 days, keeping a set of public-order restrictions in force across the province as authorities cite security and law-and-order concerns. Among the most closely watched measures is the continued ban on flying drones in open areas, a restriction officials say is aimed at preventing misuse and reducing public safety risks.
Current reporting says the drone ban was extended until April 25 under the latest notification. The restriction applies to open spaces, where officials appear to be taking a harder line on unauthorized aerial activity, especially in a tense security environment.
There is, however, a narrow exception. Reports say the use of small drones at indoor events, including halls and marquees, is still being allowed in limited circumstances, with responsibility placed on event organizers to ensure compliance and safety. That suggests the government is trying to distinguish between commercial or ceremonial indoor use and drone activity in open public spaces, which it sees as a greater risk. This reading is based on the latest reporting on the extension.
The broader message from the Punjab administration is fairly clear: the government is not yet ready to relax crowd-control and surveillance-related restrictions, and drones remain part of that security calculation. For residents, businesses and event planners, that means the current rules are still very much alive and need to be treated seriously
