Civil Defence mock drills were carried out in 13 districts of Delhi to prepare for disasters and war-like situations. The exercises took place in various locations such as shopping malls, hospitals, schools, and government offices to enhance civil defence mechanisms. In New Delhi district, drills were held at the Taj Palace Hotel and the Cantonment General Hospital to improve inter-agency coordination and public awareness.
The aim of these drills was to boost the ability of local systems to respond effectively in case of hostile acts or natural disasters. Last year, similar drills were conducted at the Indira Gandhi International Airport Terminal 3 in coordination with the police. These exercises were part of “Operation Shield” initiated by the Ministry of Home Affairs to enhance national security preparedness.
The drills simulated scenarios like air-raid sirens and blackout protocols to evaluate the readiness of civil authorities and emergency services. They particularly focused on regions near the Line of Control and the International Border to prepare for potential external threats. Complete blackouts were enforced in vulnerable civilian areas in Punjab, with sirens alerting residents and testing response measures.
