Security drill across 10 districts in Maharashtra today: ‘Air raid’ sirens, blackout in MMR amid war-readiness exercise

MUMBAI: ‘Air raid' sirens will go off at around 60 areas across MMR at 4pm Wednesday, followed by 5-minute power blackouts in select locations, as part of nationwide mock security drills amid tension with Pakistan. Upon hearing the siren, civil defence troops and volunteers will gather at prominent locations, mostly open spaces, such as Cross Maidan in south Mumbai, as part of the drill meant to assess abilities to ensure minimal loss, damage and casualties were a war-like confrontation to take place."This is a simulation exercise, and people should not panic and continue with their work," said Prabhat Kumar, director of Maharashtra Civil Defence Force, refusing to reveal the exact spots where it will be conducted. "If details about the mock drill are revealed then it won't be a mock drill," CM Fadnavis said.The ‘air raid' warning will be passed on to the civil defence channels by IAF. The exercise will be limited to volunteers from the civil defence wing, home guards, NCC cadets, NSS students from colleges, as well as police, paramedics, fire brigade, NDRF, civic officials and collectorate staffers who have received training in civil defence, officials said adding citizens should not attempt to take part in them.Across the state, the mock security drills will be conducted today at 16 locations across 10 districts of the state, including Raigad, Palghar, Pune, Jalgaon, Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg, and will involve over 10,000 civil defence volunteers. The civil defence volunteers have been trained to give first aid, handle emergency situations, handle the dead and injured, and move people to safer places.Kumar said a drill involving the participation of citizens will be undertaken only after instructions from the top authorities. "Doctors and hospitals have been informed to be prepared," he said.Kumar said Wednesday's drill will help the authorities figure out "the areas where we need to improve and take further measures to strengthen our civil defence". Sources said training to handle emergencies will be imparted over the next 10 days, which will include administering first aid, evacuation procedures such as the use of shelters/safe locations during air raids and missile attacks, use of emergency equipment such as extinguishers and gas masks, disaster communication, responding to chemical and biological attacks, and food distribution and rescue. Kumar refused to reveal the areas in the city that could be used as shelters. Sources said retired employees of sensitive installations have been asked to report for duty for the next few months.According to officials, over the course of the next 10 days, every district administration will identify safe buildings, areas and demilitarised zones for lodging of evacuated persons, train wardens/volunteers for early camouflaging of valuable assets, maintain and equip air raid shelters/bunkers/trenches, issue uniform and PPE kits to civil defence wardens/volunteers, and conduct regular mock drills.Prior to the mock security drill, GRP carried out anti-sabotage checks and a patrolling operation at CSMT on Tuesday morning. Officials said that the canine squad was also roped in. "Thirty-four passengers and 42 pieces of luggage were examined. Besides, thorough checks were carried out at the main entrance, general hall, waiting area, parking area, parcel and guard/motorman lobby, booking hall, platforms, luggage coach of local trains and isolated portions of station areas, police said. Passengers were asked to stay alert and look after their valuables," said a GRP official.