Delhi readies for sirens, action, response

Operation Abhyaas: What's On The Cards

- Sanjeev K Jha, Hemani Bhandari, Alok KN Mishra and Snehil Sinha

ings and demilitarised zones for mock evacuations. At least one hospital, government office, market and residential complex has been earmarked in each district, with the occupants being briefed hours before the exercise.

In parallel, the Delhi government has launched a large-scale safety training campaign in schools. Around 500-700 schools will participate, where DDMA and civil defence officials will teach students shelter protocols and emergency preparedness. These drills will occur earlier in the day, ahead of the main 4pm drill.

According to internal planning documents, accessed by HT, a total of 660 schools—550 private and 110 government—along with 40 market and civilian locations, have been selected for this special training. The Delhi government's Directorate of Education (DoE) and DMs have been instructed to coordinate the sessions.

Educational institutions and youth groups such as NCC, NSS and Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan are also participating, as part of a broader effort to instill civic defence awareness among young citizens. "The inclusion of students in Operation Abhyaas reflects a long-term strategy to build a culture of preparedness," said another official.