The Disaster Management Department held a preparatory meeting with district officials from six districts: Patna, Kishanganj, Begusarai, Purnia, Araria, and Katihar.
Officials were briefed on the details of the semi-annual mock drill.
As directed by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, a mock drill related to air raids and blackouts will be conducted in six districts of the state, including Patna, in the third week of May. The Directorate of Civil Defense has been designated the nodal agency for the successful conduct of the mock drill at the state level. A meeting was held on Thursday in the Disaster Management Department auditorium with the District Officers and Superintendents of Police of the respective districts to prepare for the mock drill.
The meeting was chaired by Dr. Chandrashekhar Singh, Secretary of the Disaster Management Department, via video conferencing. He stated that, as per the Central Government’s directive regarding civil security, biannual mock drills are to be conducted at least twice a year. In the previous exercise, Patna and several other districts had demonstrated excellent performance. He stated that sirens would be sounded simultaneously on the scheduled date and time. He directed that arrangements for sirens be ensured in the respective districts. He stated that electricity plays a crucial role in blackouts. Therefore, district officials will coordinate with the electricity department in a timely manner and seek cooperation in ensuring the success of the blackout. He further stated that the sound systems installed at intersections, police stations, and fire brigade vehicles could also be used for sirens. Officials will ensure that cubicle curtains or privacy curtains are installed on hospital windows during the mock drill. Adequate publicity will be provided to ensure that the public does not panic during the mock drill.
Dr. Paresh Saxena, Director General-cum-Commissioner of Civil Security, briefed the officials present on the details of the mock drills for civil security. He stated that Begusarai district had performed exceptionally well in the previous exercise. He urged officials to prepare for the next exercise in the same vein. He urged the inclusion of schools, colleges, pharmaceutical companies, and social workers for the exercise’s success.
He outlined the six points set for the mock drill in detail and explained its objectives. Present on the occasion were the Inspector General of Police, Civil Defence Directorate, Superintendent of Police, Civil Defence Directorate, District Magistrate, Patna, District Magistrate, Kishanganj, District Magistrate, Begusarai, District Magistrate, Purnia, District Magistrate, Araria, and District Magistrate, Katihar, along with the Superintendents of Police of the respective districts, the Commandant of the SDRF, and the Joint Secretary of the Disaster Management Department, Mr. Md. Nadeemul Gaffar Siddiqui.