Gujarat to Conduct Civil Defense Mock Drill in 19 Districts

Gandhinagar, Gujarat – In response to heightened national security concerns following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 that claimed 26 civilian lives, Gujarat is set to conduct a large-scale Civil Defense Exercise on May 7, 2025. The Ministry of Home Affairs has mandated this drill across the country, covering all 244 designated Civil Defence Districts, with 19 of them in Gujarat actively participating.

The rehearsal aims to evaluate and strengthen the preparedness of civil defence mechanisms, simulating emergency scenarios in both urban and rural regions. The districts in Gujarat are classified into three categories for the drill. The first includes Surat, Vadodara, and Kakrapar. The second category encompasses major urban hubs and port cities such as Ahmedabad, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Gandhinagar, Bhavnagar, Kandla, Naliya, Ankleshwar, Okha, and Vadinar. The third category includes Bharuch, Dang, Kutch, Mehsana, Narmada, and Navsari districts.

As part of the nationwide initiative, the exercise will extend to village-level operations. The simulation is designed to test real-time coordination between local authorities, civil defence wardens, Home Guards, NSS, NCC, NYKS volunteers, and school and college students. District controllers and administrative officials will oversee the exercise, ensuring detailed participation at all levels.

During the mock drill, air raid sirens will be sounded to indicate a simulated attack. Citizens will experience blackout procedures in major cities and undergo guided evacuation and safety drills. Additionally, efforts will be made to camouflage key infrastructure, replicating wartime measures to protect essential services.

Officials emphasized that this mock drill is not a cause for panic. Citizens are advised to remain calm, seek immediate indoor shelter within 5 to 10 minutes of a siren, and stay tuned to official announcements via radio, television, or authorized government platforms. Dissemination of misinformation is strictly discouraged, and public cooperation with the administration is crucial.

By organizing this exercise, the Gujarat government aims to ensure that its civil defence systems are robust and capable of responding to any emergency situation, especially in a time when geopolitical tensions demand heightened vigilance and preparedness.