State on high alert; joins 'Operation Abhyaas

Mock civil defence drills held at Panaji ferry wharf.

Photo Credits: Narayan Pissurlenkar

PANAJI

With Goa on high alert, air sirens were kept ready, selective areas witnessed power blackouts, rescue teams were deployed and a mock Mandovi bridge collapse scenario was enacted during a large-scale civil defence exercise ‘Operation Abhyaas’ on Tuesday.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has stated that Goa has been kept on high alert, being a coastal state. "Both districts have been kept on high alert. Goa is a coastal state... coast guard, police and others are also on alert,” he said while addressing a press conference after a cabinet meeting.

Both North and South Goa, designated as civil defence districts, took part in the nationwide civil defence preparedness drill held at 244 locations across the country. The exercise was held under the direction of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India, in the backdrop of the recent terror attacks in Pahalgam.

In North Goa, the drill was carried out at the Indian National Watersports Centre, Miramar; Panaji Ferry Wharf and M/s Goa Glass Fibre Ltd, Colvale. The Mandovi bridge collapse simulation at the Ferry Wharf tested the preparedness of key departments and agencies in search and rescue, evacuation, and mass casualty management. Civil Defence volunteers also actively took part in the exercise.

In South Goa, mock drills were carried out at various locations including Margao railway station, IOCL terminal at Vasco, and Dabolim. The coordinated effort saw participation from hundreds of police personnel, firefighters, civil defence volunteers, home guards, officials from the district administration and various government departments.

The government stated that the objective was to test inter-agency coordination, public response, and emergency services in a simulated crisis. The exercise helped evaluate the readiness of line departments and ensured citizens are sensitised to follow instructions during real emergencies.

CM Sawant had earlier appealed to the public to cooperate and participate in the drill by following alerts issued via radio and television.

“The primary objective of the exercise is to assess the preparedness, response capabilities, and inter-agency coordination during civil emergencies, particularly in scenarios involving evacuation, mass casualty management, firefighting, and search and rescue operations,” he said.