Drone near Uddhav Thackeray’s Matoshree sparks surveillance allegations

A brief moment of tension unfolded on Saturday when a drone was spotted flying near Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray’s residence, Matoshree , in Bandra. The incident prompted a wave of concern and political reactions after Uddhav’s son, MLA Aaditya Thackeray, took to social media alleging possible surveillance by authorities.

The drone sighting occurred in the vicinity of Bandra East and Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), leading to speculation about its purpose. However, officials from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) later clarified that the drone was part of a scheduled and authorized aerial survey being conducted for the POD Taxi Project, an ambitious urban mobility initiative planned for the BKC area.

According to the MMRDA, the survey was carried out strictly in accordance with Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) norms. The Mumbai Police also confirmed that all necessary permissions were obtained and that the drone did not enter or capture any visuals from private or restricted airspace, including the Thackeray residence.

Despite these clarifications, Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders have demanded a thorough investigation, citing concerns about privacy and the proximity of the flight path to Matoshree , a high-security zone.

The POD Taxi Project, which aims to introduce a futuristic pod-based transport system in Mumbai’s commercial hub, involves extensive aerial mapping and technical surveys. Officials described the drone activity as “routine infrastructure mapping,” assuring that there was no intent of surveillance or intrusion.

The incident has nevertheless triggered a political row, with opposition parties urging transparency in the operations of government agencies and calling for strict enforcement of drone regulations near sensitive areas.