Gandhinagar: As per the guidelines of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, civil defense mock drills and blackouts were conducted today across 18 districts of Gujarat. The program was meticulously planned and executed by various departments and district administrations. Citizens of the state actively cooperated, showcasing a strong commitment to national security, said an official statement.

In preparation for the mock drill, 24-hour hotlines and satellite phones were activated at the District Emergency Operation Centers (DEOCs) of all participating districts. At 4:00 PM, as per the pre-scheduled time, sirens were sounded and the mock drill commenced at 74 locations in the state, including sites like the Kakrapar Nuclear Power Plant and GIFT City. A total of 13,069 trained citizens and around 10,000 civil defense personnel actively participated in the drill.

Six key emergency scenarios were enacted across these districts: Incoming Air Raid, Building Fire, Search and Rescue, Casualty Evacuation from Collapsed Structures, Setting Up of Temporary Hospitals, and Civilian Evacuation to Bunkers and Demilitarized Zones.

Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghvi and Chief Secretary Pankaj Joshi held a review meeting at the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC), where they virtually observed the drill and monitored its progress.

To coordinate the effort, three dedicated monitoring teams were formed at the SEOC under Additional Chief Secretary of the Revenue Department Dr. Jayanti Ravi and Relief Commissioner Alok Kumar Pandey. These teams tracked the drill’s minute-to-minute developments and ensured seamless communication between districts and the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Citizens were informed through various media channels about the evening blackout from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM, ensuring public awareness and preventing panic or misinformation.

The drill aimed to enhance systemic preparedness and raise public awareness for civil defense. Minister Shri Harsh Sanghvi expressed his gratitude to all citizens and institutions for their enthusiastic participation and cooperation. DeshGujarat