Statewide Civil Defence Mock Drill in Tripura on May 7
In line with the directive from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, the Tripura government will conduct a large-scale Civil Defence Mock Drill across eight districts of the state on May 7, 2025. The drill is aimed at strengthening emergency preparedness and assessing disaster response capabilities at various administrative levels.
Addressing a press conference at the state secretariat today, Revenue Secretary Brijesh Pandey stated that the exercise is part of routine national efforts to evaluate the readiness of civil authorities and volunteer networks during emergencies or natural disasters.
He emphasized that the mock drill is a standard preparedness activity and urged the public not to panic or misinterpret the simulation as a real crisis. “The purpose of the drill is to enhance public awareness and ensure that people know how to protect themselves during emergencies. It will also help evaluate the coordination between various government departments and the overall responsiveness of the system,” said Pandey.
|Also Read : War at doorstep: MHA Orders Nationwide Civil Defence Drills :
Scope and Objectives
The drill will be held simultaneously in all eight districts of Tripura with the active involvement of Civil Defence volunteers, school and college students, and various emergency response units. It will be coordinated by the District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) and the District Civil Defence Corps.
According to Pandey, the primary objectives of the drill are:
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To sensitize the public about protective measures during disasters;
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To evaluate inter-departmental coordination and administrative readiness in emergency scenarios;
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To test rescue and relief mechanisms, emergency medical responses, and service restoration strategies in case of system breakdowns;
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To ensure citizens and frontline responders are well-versed in disaster response protocols.
Major Event in Agartala
The most significant drill in the state will take place at Umakanta Ground in Agartala, located in West Tripura district. According to West Tripura District Magistrate Dr. Vishal Kumar, who was also present at the press briefing, the simulation will begin at 3:30 PM and continue until 6:00 PM.
As part of the scenario simulation, warning sirens will be sounded at 4:00 PM and again at 5:30 PM, signaling different phases of the mock disaster event.
Personnel participating in the mock drill include:
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Civil Defence volunteers
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Apda Mitras (trained community emergency responders)
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NCC cadets
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Tripura State Rifles (TSR) jawans
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Home Guards
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Firefighters
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Medical emergency teams
Hospitals such as IGM Hospital and GBP Hospital in Agartala, along with the central fire station at Fire Brigade Chowmuhani, will play key roles in the simulation by responding to mock casualties and fire emergencies.
Background: Civil Defence in India
Civil Defence in India has long played a critical role in safeguarding citizens and property during wartime and peacetime emergencies, including natural and man-made disasters. The concept was formalized under the Civil Defence Act, 1968, and has evolved over the decades to incorporate modern risk management techniques.
Over the years, the Civil Defence setup has expanded its mandate to include not only war-related emergency planning but also peacetime disaster management, particularly in a country like India, which is highly prone to natural calamities such as floods, cyclones, earthquakes, and landslides.
Mock drills such as this one serve as practical training platforms to reinforce preparedness, identify systemic gaps, and improve overall resilience at the local and state level.
Additional Participation
The press conference was also attended by District Magistrate Dr Vishal Kumar, J.B. Dwati, Director of Civil Defence, and Sharat Kumar Das, Project Officer of the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA). Both officials underscored the importance of mock drills in creating a culture of preparedness and public safety awareness.
“We’re not just evaluating emergency services; we are strengthening them through real-time simulation,” said Sharad Das. “These exercises also help fine-tune communication, logistics, and decision-making during a disaster.”
As Tripura continues to develop its disaster management infrastructure, events like tomorrow’s statewide mock drill reflect the state’s commitment to public safety and proactive governance.
