PANAJI: Goa will conduct civil defence mock drills on May 7, at five key locations- Panaji (North Goa), Vasco, Dabolim, Mormugao Port, and the Harbour area(South Goa)- as part of an all-India exercise initiated by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The directive comes in the wake of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, with the MHA calling for nationwide preparedness against "new and complex threats."
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that a detailed plan for the drills will be finalised by today evening, involving Civil Defence Services, NCC, NSS, Home Guard, Aapda Mitra volunteers, and the general public. Residents in the identified areas will be alerted in advance.
“The primary focus will be on testing the use of sirens in the event of communication failure. The exact timing of the drills will be announced through radio, television, and news channels,” Sawant stated.
Reflecting on past national preparedness efforts, Sawant recalled the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war and noted that this is the first time a coordinated civil defence exercise of this scale is being conducted under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. “We hope such a situation never arises, but if it does, the public must be ready. Both district collectors are making necessary arrangements, and the Home and Revenue Departments will be monitoring the drills,” he said.
The Chief Minister also urged citizens to cooperate during the mock drills and follow the instructions for safety.
