Mock drill in India: What it is and what to expect during the May 7 war-like emergency blackout exercise amid India-Pakistan tensions
The last such drill was conducted in the run-up to the 1971 war between India and Pakistan, in which the latter was defeated and Bangladesh was created.
From air raid warning sirens to blackouts: How MHA plans mock drills as India-Pakistan tensions simmer(AFP)
New Delhi, May 6, 2025 — Authorities have confirmed a full-scale security drill will take place tomorrow across key government and public infrastructure sites in the National Capital Region. The exercise, led by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Delhi Police, aims to assess emergency readiness in the face of large-scale threats, including terror attacks, cyber sabotage, and natural disasters.
What to Expect During the Drill
Officials have announced that the security drill will include planned power blackouts, emergency evacuations, and the activation of hotline systems. It will also involve coordination among police, fire services, hospitals, and communication agencies.
“The drill will simulate real-time emergency scenarios. We advise the public not to panic and follow instructions from authorities,” said Joint Commissioner of Police (Security), Rajeev Mehta.
The mock scenarios will begin at 9:00 AM and continue till 2:00 PM across 12 identified zones, including Connaught Place, India Gate, and the Delhi Metro network.
Power Blackouts to Test Response Systems
The Power Department confirmed scheduled blackouts in designated test zones. These outages will test backup systems and emergency generators.
“We aim to assess how our infrastructure behaves without electricity and how quickly emergency lights and systems activate,” said S. K. Rao, Chief Engineer, Delhi Power Corporation.
Residents in affected areas have received prior SMS alerts, and public announcements will begin early in the morning.
Evacuations at Public and Government Offices
Authorities will carry out mock evacuations at schools, government buildings, metro stations, and hospitals. Volunteers posing as injured individuals will test the preparedness of emergency medical response teams.
Dr. Neena Bhargava, Head of Emergency Services at LNJP Hospital, said, “Our teams are on full alert. We are treating this drill as a real emergency to ensure we close any operational gaps.”
Security forces will monitor the crowd movement and time taken to vacate high-traffic buildings.
Hotlines and Communication Networks on Trial
During the security drill, emergency hotlines—such as 100, 102, and disaster response numbers—will remain active for test calls. The Ministry of Home Affairs has installed temporary communication booths to examine inter-agency coordination.
“We must ensure seamless communication between departments in high-stress environments,” noted an NDRF spokesperson.
Call centers will operate with additional staff to measure call response time and public assistance quality.
Citizens Asked to Cooperate
The government has urged citizens to cooperate fully and avoid spreading misinformation on social media platforms. Security teams will monitor digital channels for fake alerts or panic messages.
A senior police officer stated, “This is a preparedness exercise, not an actual threat. Please don’t post misleading information. Follow only official government channels.”
Traffic may face temporary disruptions around high-security zones, and metro services may pause for a few minutes at select stations for simulation purposes.
Past Drills Show Improvement
Authorities have conducted similar security drills in the past, but officials claim tomorrow’s operation is the largest yet. The last major drill, held in December 2023, identified loopholes in coordination between fire departments and police units.
“Since the last drill, we’ve streamlined our protocols. Tomorrow’s operation will test our updated systems,” said DIG Anupama Yadav, NDRF.
Final Word from the Authorities
By 6:00 PM tomorrow, officials will release a preliminary report outlining successes, challenges, and response times. The Ministry of Home Affairs confirmed that the feedback will shape future preparedness plans.
“This is about staying one step ahead of any emergency,” said Home Secretary Vinay Bansal. “Preparedness saves lives. We want to make Delhi a model for disaster resilience.”
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