The state had observed mock drills and blackouts earlier this month, as a part of India’s befitting reply to the Pahalgam terror attack. Now, after 24 days of the same, some parts of Gujarat will once again observe mock drills and blackouts today (May 31). The Civil Defense has taken this decision under the ‘Operation Shield’, wherein mock drills and blackouts will be observed in 20 districts of the state, including the border areas.
These exercises are implemented to ensure the readiness of the citizens in any possible war situation. Blackouts and mock drills will take place today at Patan, Navsari, Vadodara, Surat, Jamnagar, Kheda, Rajkot, Mahisagar, Kutch, Valsad, Dahod, Amreli, Gandhinagar, Tapi, Anand, Banaskantha, Junagadh, Ahmedabad, Surendranagar, and Godhra (Panchmahal). The blackout- mock drill will take place between 5 to 8 PM.
| Blackout Place and Time (PM) | Blackout Place and Time (PM) |
| Patan 8:00 to 8:30 | Valsad 8:00 to 8:30 |
| Navsari 8:00 to 8:30 | Dahod 8:00 to 8:15 |
| Vadodara 7:30 to 7:45 | Amreli 8:00 to 8:30 |
| Surat 8:00 to 8:30 | Gandhinagar 8:00 to 8:30 |
| Jamnagar 8:00 to 8:30 | Anand 7:30 to 7:45 |
| Kheda 8:00 to 8:15 | Banaskantha 7:45 to 8:15 |
| Rajkot 8:30 to 8:45 | Junagadh 8:30 to 9:00 |
| Tapi 8:00 to 8:15 | Ahmedabad 7.45 to 8.15 |
| Mahisagar 8:00 to 8:15 | Surendranagar 8:00 to 8.30 |
| Kutch 8:00 to 8:30 | Godhra 8.00 to 8.15 |
The mock drill that was to be organized on May 29 had been postponed. Now, it will be organized today, May 31. In Banaskantha district, a Civil Defense mock drill will be organized at 5 PM at Nadabet. The mock drill will include activities like training how to help in the shifting and displacement of injured and trapped citizens during any natural calamity. In all the villages of Vav and Suigam talukas, a complete blackout will be observed from 7:45 PM to 8:15 PM.
On the other hand, in 18 places of the Patan district, Civil Defense exercises will be organized at 5 PM; blackout will take place from 8 to 8:30 PM. These 18 places include Patan Municipality, Chanasma Municipality, BPCL Terminal, Siddhpur, IOCL Terminal, GIDC Siddhpur, Radhanpur Municipality, IOCL Pipeline Unit, Radhanpur, HPCL Pumping Station, Santalpur, Siddhpur Municipality, Harij Municipality, and 8 villages at the border.
In Bhuj, a mock drill will take place at 5:30 PM at the Smrutivan Museum and Memorial. Blackout will take place in the areas nearby the Smrutivan, but not in the entire city. Six different types of Civil Defense activities will take place at the Shahibaug Cantonment in Ahmedabad and Police Line at Viramgam, after which blackout will be observed.