Delhi conducts mock drills at 55 locations to boost emergency preparedness

ARFF personnel during a mega civil defence mock drill ‘Operation Abhyaas’, at Terminal 3, Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, in New Delhi on May 7, 2025.
| Photo Credit: Shiv Kumar Pushpakar

As sirens echoed across the National Capital, emergency response teams sprang into action for coordinated mock drills held at 55 locations across 11 districts of Delhi. The large-scale exercise, initiated under ‘Operation Abhyaas’, was conducted following a directive from the Union Home Ministry.

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The Ministry instructed all States and Union Territories to assess their civil defence readiness in the wake of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan after the recent Pahalgam terror attack that claimed at least 26 lives.

The drills that started around 4 p.m. simulated various hostile and emergency scenarios, including missile strikes, air raids, building collapses and huge fires. The primary goal was to evaluate the preparedness of the administration and create awareness among civilians about emergency protocols.

The exercises were held at several prominent and crowded public places such as Khan Market and NDMC headquarters in New Delhi, Select Citywalk Mall in Saket, and Chandni Chowk in old Delhi.

Simulated scenarios

At the Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT), a scenario involving a major fire was staged. Rajat, a civil defence volunteer, shared: “We practised how to respond if a fire breaks out in a crowded space like the ISBT. Fire tenders arrived promptly, and we were taught firefighting basics and crowd control.”

In Patel Nagar, Sub-Divisional Magistrate Nitin Shakya led a mock drill simulating a building collapse. “We focused on mobilising rescue teams and creating awareness about transporting the injured to hospitals and nearby shelter homes,” he said.

A similar drill was carried out at the Capital Greens apartment complex in West Delhi, where District Magistrate Kinny Singh emphasised the importance of civilian readiness. “We created a scenario of building collapse and trained people how to seek shelter, take the injured to the hospital and shelter homes,” said Ms. Singh.

In Photos: States conduct mock drills in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack

Coordinating efforts in the New Delhi district, DCP Devesh Mahala highlighted the broader objective: “The idea was not just to test our response systems but to create awareness among civilians. The government has distributed material to ensure people remain calm and know what to do instead of panicking,” he said.

In Chandni Chowk, one of the busiest markets in the city, a simulation imagined the area struck by missile fire. “We practised how vendors and customers could evacuate through narrow lanes. A makeshift clinic was set up to provide first aid training,” another second civil defence volunteer told The Hindu.

School preparedness

Mock drills also extended to schools and hospitals. At around 11 a.m., schools across the city held preparedness drills for students. Alka Kapur, Principal of Modern Public School, Shalimar Bagh, said, “Our students learned how to seek shelter, administer first aid, help peers, and stay calm during a crisis. This was part of a broader effort to align with national security readiness.”

At ITL Public School in Dwarka, Principal Sudha Acharya said the school followed SOPs issued by the District Disaster Management Authority. “We carried out blackout drills, during which students ducked under desks upon hearing the emergency hooter,” she said. Information videos, advisories, and posters from the government were shared with parents and students through school communication platforms.

To raise awareness, official videos, advisories, and posters from the government were shared with parents and students through the school’s communication channels, she added.

Some city hospitals also conducted mock drills, while others focused on disaster readiness. “Delhi Fire Services initiated immediate rescue operations, followed by firefighting efforts and a coordinated evacuation process,” said Deepak Narang, Facility Director, Fortis Hospital Shalimar Bagh.

As part of the drill’s final phase, a scheduled blackout occurred in the NDMC area from 8 p.m. to 8.15 p.m., where civilians were asked to operate without lights to simulate a power outage during an emergency.