Ahmedabad: In a civil defence initiative aimed at enhancing emergency preparedness, the state of Gujarat will carry out a large-scale mock drill under the “Operation Shield” on Thursday, May 29. The exercise, set to take place between 5:00 PM and 8:00 PM, is part of a coordinated effort with other Indian states bordering Pakistan, including Punjab, Rajasthan, and Jammu & Kashmir, following the successful implementation of “Operation Sindoor.”
As part of the simulation, select areas across Gujarat will experience controlled blackouts, simulating a wartime scenario to assess both public response and administrative readiness. In the Patan district, eighteen key locations have been selected for the blackout, including BPCL and IOCL terminals in Siddhpur, the GIDC estate, and several municipalities such as Patan, Siddhpur, Chanasma, Harij, and Radhanpur. Lights across these areas will be turned off from 8:00 PM to 8:30 PM, including streetlights, shop signage, and other external lighting systems.
The drill in Vadodara will begin at 6:45 PM and continue until 7:30 PM. It will cover Padra Municipality, the rural areas of Karjan Taluka, the Inox Air Products facility in Jithardi, and the EME School campus in the city. A blackout will follow from 7:30 PM to 7:45 PM.
In Surat, the civil defence drill will be conducted in densely populated commercial and industrial zones. Areas such as the Global Textile Market, Umarwada, the area near SMIMER Hospital, and opposite Bombay Market will see activity from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. A complete blackout will then take place from 8:00 PM to 8:30 PM. Residents needing assistance or accurate information during the drill can contact the city police control rooms or the district disaster management office through the provided helplines.
The state’s Revenue Department, under the supervision of Additional Chief Secretary Dr. Jayanti Ravi, has conducted a virtual review of the planning and preparations. She has instructed all district collectors to ensure seamless execution and proper coordination among local agencies. The purpose of “Operation Shield” is not only to simulate response strategies to potential enemy airstrikes or missile attacks but also to instill a sense of awareness and discipline among civilians. The drill will include the activation of air raid sirens, establishment of hotlines between the Air Force and civil defence authorities, and the involvement of youth volunteers from organizations like the NCC, NSS, and Bharat Scouts and Guides.
Furthermore, contingency plans are being tested for immediate deployment of medical teams and blood donation drives in the event of casualties. Emergency response units from the Home Guards’ Border Wing and Armed Forces will also be on standby as part of the mock scenario. District collectors have been briefed on maintaining close coordination among all departments, ensuring real-time communication and mobilization capabilities.