Ahmedabad: On May 7, 2025, Gujarat will be at the forefront of a major nationwide civil defence exercise, with mock drills scheduled in 15 of its districts. The state government, under the directive of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, will conduct these drills as a part of a broader preparedness initiative in light of rising cross-border tensions. The drill will simulate wartime scenarios, aiming to train civilians on how to respond during emergencies.
The districts selected for the mock drill include Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Surat, Vadodara, Bhavnagar, Jamnagar, Dwarka, Bharuch, Mehsana, Tapi, Narmada, Navsari, Dang, and both eastern and western Kutch. These regions have been identified for their strategic significance, especially Kutch, which shares proximity to the international border with Pakistan.
During the exercise, sirens resembling those used during wartime alerts will be activated in key public and administrative areas such as police headquarters, fire stations, military installations, markets, and government buildings. The sirens, designed to be heard across a radius of 2 to 5 km, will signal the beginning of the drill, prompting citizens to practice evacuation and shelter protocols. People will be guided to move to safe structures, stay indoors, avoid open areas, and follow updates via television, radio, and official channels.
Gujarat’s civil defence authorities have collaborated with district magistrates, police forces, home guards, civil defence wardens, NCC cadets, NSS volunteers, and the Nehru Yuva Kendra network to ensure smooth execution. In cities like Ahmedabad and Surat, detailed coordination plans are already in place, and local schools and colleges will also take part in awareness efforts.
This exercise comes at a time of heightened security concern following a recent terrorist attack in Jammu & Kashmir’s Pahalgam region. With increasing threats of aerial and missile attacks, especially from Pakistan, the central government has ordered this simulation to enhance readiness in 244 districts across India.
The last such comprehensive mock drill was held during the 1971 Indo-Pak war, making this the first nationwide civil defence simulation in over five decades. The initiative falls under the Civil Defence Act of 1968, which allows for protective measures in zones deemed sensitive to enemy threats. Authorities are urging the public not to panic upon hearing the sirens and to actively participate in the simulation, treating it as an essential step in national preparedness.