By The Sampadak Express
In a sweeping civil defence initiative, cities across India, including Delhi and Mumbai, underwent planned blackouts and emergency drills on Wednesday, testing national preparedness in the wake of increased security concerns tied to rising tensions with Pakistan.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had earlier directed all states and union territories to conduct comprehensive mock drills, including crash blackouts, air raid sirens, evacuation procedures, and public awareness campaigns. These exercises are designed to prepare for potential large-scale emergencies, including war-like scenarios.
Key landmarks and neighborhoods in the capital including Connaught Place, India Gate, Akshardham Temple, Moti Nagar, and Khan Market experienced brief power cuts as part of the drill. In Mumbai, emergency protocols were enacted at Cross Maidan, while Pune carried out its drill at the Council Hall.
Blackout drills were also reported from major cities such as Patna, Surat, Bengaluru, Gwalior, Jaipur, and Shimla. In Bihar, the state capital Patna observed lights out at critical locations including Raj Bhavan and the Chief Minister’s residence. Gujarat’s Surat followed suit with a full-scale blackout simulation. In Gwalior’s Sirol area and Bengaluru’s Halsuru Lake, emergency preparedness was tested with participation from local authorities.
Air raid sirens sounded in Himachal Pradesh’s Shimla, signaling citizens to practice blackout procedures, while Rajasthan’s Jaipur hosted its drill along the busy MI Road.
These nationwide drills coincide with Operation Sindoor, a high-intensity military campaign carried out by the Indian Armed Forces on Wednesday. According to Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, the operation targeted nine major terror camps across Pakistan, following heightened surveillance and intelligence assessments that pointed to an increased risk of terrorist activity in India.
Officials emphasize that these mock drills are crucial for assessing local and national response mechanisms, strengthening civilian and institutional readiness in face of evolving and complex security threats.
More articles:
