Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, August 6, 2025 – A drone crash near Varanasi Cantonment Railway Station late Tuesday evening, August 5, caused a stir as authorities scrambled to secure the area and investigate. The incident, which occurred near platform number 7, has raised questions about unauthorized drone use in the city, a key religious and tourist hub. Here’s the latest on what happened and what’s being done.
Around 10 p.m., a camera-equipped drone fell from the sky near the busy railway station, alarming passengers and railway staff. Railway Protection Force (RPF) in-charge Sandeep Yadav confirmed that teams from the RPF, Government Railway Police Force (GRPF), and a bomb detection and dog squad rushed to the scene. The area was quickly cordoned off, and a thorough search ruled out any immediate threat. “We found no suspicious payload on the drone,” Yadav said, adding that early investigations suggest it may belong to a content creator filming videos for social media. The drone is now in police custody as they work to identify its owner.
The crash comes at a time when Uttar Pradesh is cracking down on unauthorized drone operations. Earlier this week, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath held a high-level meeting, ordering strict action against misuse of drones, including potential charges under the Gangsters Act or National Security Act. This follows reports of drones being used to spread rumors or create panic, with 17 FIRs and 29 arrests across the state in recent weeks for drone-related offenses. Districts like Varanasi, Mathura, and Ayodhya have imposed blanket bans on drone flights without prior permission, making this incident particularly sensitive.
Local residents and commuters expressed unease. The incident has also reignited concerns about safety in Varanasi, a city that draws millions of tourists and pilgrims yearly.
Authorities are stepping up efforts to prevent similar incidents. The RPF is reviewing CCTV footage to trace the drone’s flight path. Meanwhile, the state government has directed increased patrols and stricter enforcement of drone regulations around key sites like railway stations and temples.
