Tamil Nadu security drill: Air raids exercise at Kalpakkam, Chennai Port today

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Disaster Management Authority will conduct a civil defence exercise at Madras Atomic Power Station (MAPS) in Kalpakkam and Chennai Port Trust on Wednesday. The civil defence exercise, which is scheduled to be held from 4pm to 4.30pm, follows an advisory from Union home ministry to all states and Union territories.Aiming to assess the operational efficacy and coordination of various civil defence measures, the exercise will include simulation activities to handle an incoming air raid. "The exercise is only a mock drill to check the preparedness in the selected vital installations. All other functions in other places will go on normally. There is no need for any panic or apprehension among the public about this exercise," said an official release.Chief secretary N Muruganandam convened the meeting with state and central agencies, and saw the participation of additional chief secretary home, prohibition and excise, Dheeraj Kumar, and additional chief secretary, revenue and disaster management department, P Amudha, state relief commissioner and commissioner for revenue administration, M Saikumar, and DGP Shankar Jiwal. Officials from MAPS, Kalpakkam and Chennai Port Trust, Chengalpet collector, IG (home guards), IG (general) and Dakshin Bharat area official also participated.The state emergency operation centre in Tamil Nadu has been activated and it will function from the premises of the state disaster management authority at Ezhilagam. During the mock drill, the district disaster management authority headed by the district collector will be involved. Civil defence officials (home guards), fire department officials and other departments concerned will also participate.The objectives also include operationalisation of hotline/radio communication links with the air force. Testing the functionality of control rooms and shadow control rooms is another key objective. The exercise will also focus on training civilians and students in civil defence aspects. Provision of crash blackout measures, provision for early camouflaging of vital plants/installations and preparedness of evacuation plans and their execution will be assessed.