Sirens, a mock bridge collapse scenario, emergency signals and traffic diversions — these are part of the plan for a multi-agency mock drill in Goa amid rising India-Pakistan tensions in the aftermath of the April 22 terror attack in Kashmir. Both districts in Goa — North and South — figure among the 244 districts from different states and Union Territories where a civil defence mock drill will be conducted on Wednesday to enhance preparedness for a potential wartime scenario. A statement from the office of the North Goa Collector said the mock exercise, titled Operation Abhyaas, will be held in his district from 4 pm onwards on Wednesday. “During the course of the exercise, siren alerts will be sounded and emergency response teams will be visibly active at the designated locations. Members of the public are hereby requested not to panic, as these activities are part of a pre-planned mock drill. Temporary traffic diversions may be implemented in the vicinity of the drill locations. Citizens are requested to extend full cooperation to the authorities and to refrain from spreading unverified information or rumours on social media platforms,” the statement said. The mock drill will be carried out at three locations in North Goa — the Indian National Watersports Centre, Miramar; Panjim Ferry Wharf; and M/s Goa Glass Fibre Ltd, Colvale, Bardez taluka. The exercise will be supervised by the North Goa Collector and will involve the coordinated participation of the police, fire and emergency services; the health services; the National Cadet Corps; the National Social Service; the District Disaster Management Authority, North Goa; civil defence volunteers; and other allied response agencies. Officials said 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 with the involvement of civil defence volunteers”. In South Goa district, the mock drill will be conducted from 4 pm onwards at the Indian Oil Corporation Ltd, Vasco; Dabolim airport; and Margaon railway station. Officials said civilians will also be trained to respond in emergencies as part of the drill. “Sirens and other emergency signals will be activated as part of the drill. These should be treated as part of the simulation and no panic or alarm should be caused,” a statement from the office of the Collector of South Goa district said. A control room has been set up for the mock drill in the district, the statement said.
