In a precautionary step towards strengthening public safety and awareness, the Bihar government is set to conduct a large-scale civil defence mock drill across seven cities — Patna, Purnia, Katihar, Begusarai, Barauni, Araria, and Kishanganj — on Wednesday evening. This drill, scheduled between 7:00 PM and 7:10 PM, will simulate an air raid scenario, during which electricity supply will be temporarily suspended to mimic a blackout.
This effort comes in the wake of recent heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, especially after the tragic terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22. Guided by directives from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, the mock drill is part of a broader national initiative to evaluate and enhance the country’s civil defence mechanisms.
Top officials, including Chief Secretary Amrit Lal Meena, convened a high-level meeting with the Director General of Police, Additional Chief Secretary (Home), and senior civil defence personnel to finalise arrangements. They assured the public that essential services such as hospitals and emergency response units would remain unaffected. Warning sirens will be sounded shortly before the blackout to alert citizens and prepare them for the brief disruption.
Over 12,000 trained volunteers from the Disaster Management Department will be deployed across the six districts to educate residents on how to respond during emergencies. These volunteers will also conduct awareness drives and safety training sessions throughout the day. Students in schools will be sensitised to emergency protocols, and coordination between police, fire services, and administrative bodies is being ensured for smooth execution.
“This drill is crucial not only to evaluate our preparedness but to instil a sense of readiness among the people,” said Paresh Saxena, Additional Director General and Commissioner of the Civil Defence Directorate. He added that similar exercises were carried out during the Indo-Pak war of 1971 and proved instrumental in preparing citizens for potential threats.
While the administration is working to minimise public inconvenience, reactions among locals remain mixed. Rajeev Kumar, a resident of Jagdeo Path in Patna, expressed support for the initiative, stating, “It’s important to know how to act during an emergency, but I feel the government should also be more aggressive in dealing with terrorism directly.” Another resident, Ramesh Kumar Sinha, voiced concerns over the timing, suggesting the exercise could have been held in the morning to reduce disruptions.
Despite these concerns, officials have reiterated that the drill is purely preventive in nature and there is no cause for alarm. Rather, it is a collective step toward fostering a culture of resilience and readiness in uncertain times.
The people of Bihar are being called upon to cooperate with patience and understanding, recognising that preparedness today could save countless lives tomorrow.
