Delhi has begun a big civil defense drill at 55 locations around the city, starting at 4 PM on Wednesday. This drill is part of a nationwide exercise called ‘Operation Abhyaas’. The drill, organized by the central government, aims to prepare everyone for emergencies, especially because of rising tensions with Pakistan.
During the drill, different scenarios will be practiced, like air raids, fires, and rescue operations. Sirens will be heard throughout the 15 police districts, and there will be more police officers visible in many areas. The Ministry of Home Affairs has told all states to do similar drills after the recent Pahalgam terror attack.
On Tuesday, Delhi Police increased security by putting up barricades in busy places like Connaught Place and near Parliament. They also brought in special devices called Long-Range Acoustic Devices (LRADs), which can send messages up to one kilometer away. These devices will help control crowds and make important announcements.
Officials have chosen five important places in each of Delhi’s 11 districts to participate, including markets, schools, homes, government offices, and hospitals. About 2,000 civil defense volunteers and 1,200 trained disaster response workers, known as “Aapda Mitras,” are helping with the drill. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said Delhi is “fully ready” and is following the central government’s plans.
The drills will happen over the next two weeks and will include all parts of Delhi. Around 650 schools are also taking part, training students and teachers on how to respond during emergencies, like blackouts or air raids. Training videos and materials have been shared with schools and the public.
Police are increasing day and night patrols in popular areas like India Gate, Janpath, Connaught Place, and Gole Market. There will be a coordinated effort involving the fire department, health services, civil defense, and other agencies. Safety shelters have been chosen, and the city is testing how quickly different departments can respond in a crisis. The power department has also considered blackout drills to prepare, even though they may not do full drills right now.
Leave a Reply