In compliance with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs’ directive, one-day emergency response drills under “Operation Abhyaas”, were carried out across Maharashtra, including Pune and Mumbai, on May 7. Following this, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has announced that further drills will continue for five more days, including planned blackout exercises in various locations around the city.
Major drills conducted at Mumbai’s CSMT
At Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Civil Defence teams, along with Mumbai Police and Fire Brigade, conducted a high-intensity mock drill simulating emergencies. Demonstrations included handling injuries in the event of an attack, fire safety protocols, and air strike response procedures.
The mock drill at CSMT showcased how to rescue and revive injured during an attack and how to put off fire. Civil Defence unit inspected the railway station and also deployed police dogs during the checks.
Apart from the above, the drills were carried out in coordination with multiple agencies, including BMC, NDRF, Home Guard, NCC, NSS, and paramedics. As per reports, similar drills were also conducted in Kalyan, Nashik, Pune, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Uran, and Tarapur. The exercises concluded with a blackout simulation in Anushakti Nagar and Tarapur yesterday.
Training & public preparedness emphasised
The aim of the initiative is to underline the importance of preparedness in conflict scenarios, noting that citizens can play a vital role in minimising casualties. Moreover, a recent agreement was signed with Mumbai University to integrate Civil Defence training into the academic curriculum from February 2025.
