In response to heightened border tensions following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Gujarat is conducting large-scale civil defence mock drills today across 18 districts, marking the first such statewide preparedness exercise in over five decades.
The Civil Defence District initiative includes simulated wartime conditions between 4 PM and 8 PM, with sirens sounding and a voluntary blackout planned from 8:30 PM to 9:00 PM to raise public awareness and test emergency readiness protocols.
In Ahmedabad city, the drills are being carried out at two key locations Palladium Mall and Vatva GIDC. Ahmedabad Collector Sujit Kumar confirmed that all necessary arrangements have been finalized and urged citizens to voluntarily participate in the blackout phase.
Meanwhile, Ahmedabad Rural is witnessing mock exercises at six different sites: Dhandhuka Municipality, Viramgam Tank Farm, Powergrid Pirana, Gallops Industrial Park Changodara, Ganeshpura Koth Temple, and Sanand GIDC Tata Plant. According to SP Om Prakash Jat, these drills focus on evacuation procedures, emergency responses including casualty, fire, rescue, welfare coordination, and transportation management, with a dedicated officer overseeing operations at each location.
Officials emphasized that the goal is to improve both administrative coordination and civilian readiness in the face of potential conflict scenarios.