Team Herald
PANJIM: Preparations were underway in Goa on Tuesday for nationwide civil defence mock drills scheduled for today. The drills will primarily be conducted in Panjim and parts of Vasco, Dabolim, and the harbour area in Mormugao taluka.
Speaking to reporters at Mantralaya in Porvorim, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said, "A video conference meeting chaired by the Union Home Secretary was held with the Chief Secretary, Collectors, and the Revenue Secretary, during which locations were finalised. In South Goa, Mormugao, Vasco, and Dabolim have been selected, and in North Goa, Panjim will participate in the mock drill. Plans will be prepared involving Civil Defence Services such as the NCC, NSS, Home Guards, Apda Mitra, and the general public."
South Goa District Administration has informed that a mock drill will be organised from 4 pm onwards. For any queries, the District Control Room can be contacted at 0832-2794100/2794223.
The CM recalled that a similar drill had been conducted in 1971 during the India–Pakistan war that led to the creation of Bangladesh. “This initiative is being undertaken to sensitise people and keep them alert. Both district administrations are making preparations. The Home Ministry and the Revenue Ministry are on high alert."
Meanwhile, Goa Police issued a statement warning against a fake advisory message being circulated on social media. "It has come to our notice that a false advisory is being circulated online, falsely claiming to be an official communication. The content is misleading and intended to create unnecessary panic. Spreading or forwarding such fake messages is a punishable offence under the law. We urge all citizens to remain calm, verify facts, and rely only on official channels of the Goa Police for accurate updates," the
statement said.
Nationwide, nearly 300 designated ‘civil defence districts’ — areas with sensitive installations such as nuclear plants, military bases, refineries, and hydroelectric dams — will take part in these mock drills. Activities include air-raid warning sirens, civilian training for a "hostile attack", and cleaning of bunkers and trenches.
The framework for public participation in the drills was thoroughly discussed at a high-level meeting chaired by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, with top civil and police officers in attendance, official sources said.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has instructed all states to conduct these drills in response to “new and complex threats” that have surfaced amid rising tensions with Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack.
Authorities will involve students, government and private sector employees, hospital staff, railway and metro officials, and personnel from the police, paramilitary, and defence forces in the exercises.
Sources explained that ‘civil defence districts’ differ from regular administrative districts. A region may be designated as such if it contains key installations like cantonments or refineries, depending on strategic needs.
"Such districts are designated by respective state authorities, and mock drills will be conducted in nearly 300 of them across the country," the sources added.
According to a communication from the Home Ministry, the drills will include the activation of air-raid warning systems, training civilians in basic civil defence tactics, and cleaning and maintaining bunkers and trenches.
Other measures involve implementing blackout protocols, camouflaging vital infrastructure, updating evacuation plans, and operationalising hotline and radio-communication links with the Indian Air Force. Control rooms and shadow control rooms will also be tested for functionality.
"In the current geo-political scenario, new and complex threats have emerged. Therefore, it is essential that civil defence preparedness in all states and Union Territories is maintained at an optimum level," stated a letter from the Directorate General of Fire Services, Civil Defence, and Home Guards.