Delhi Sounds the Alarm: Air Raid Siren Tested at ITO, 50 More to Secure City

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In a dramatic move to bolster Delhi’s emergency preparedness, the Directorate of Civil Defence conducted a live test of an air raid siren atop the Public Works Department (PWD) headquarters in ITO on Friday. The exercise, which lasted 15-20 minutes and began at 3 PM, comes amid heightened military tensions between India and Pakistan following recent cross-border hostilities.

Key Highlights:

The siren at ITO was heard as far away as 8 kilometers, marking the extensive coverage of the system.

Minister of Delhi PWD Parvesh Verma said 40 to 50 air raid sirens are going to be installed on major high-rise buildings in the city within a short while, creating a vital warning system in case of emergencies.

All sirens will be centrally controlled from a specialized command center run by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), enabling instant citywide warnings.

During an emergency, sirens will ring for five minutes, providing citizens with time to take cover under tables or in basements.

The Delhi Police increased security by deploying more men at strategic points, carrying out security checks using bomb squads and dog squads, and coordinating with market associations and RWAs for CCTV and local surveillance.

Public announcements and social media campaigns were initiated to enlighten citizens, asking them to stay calm and report suspicious activities.

The initiative follows recent mock drills and blackout exercises in Delhi and other cities, reflecting a nationwide push for civil defence readiness after India’s strikes on terror camps and subsequent Pakistani drone and missile attempts.

Delhi’s move to expand its air raid siren network marks a significant leap in civil defence, aiming to keep its nearly 20 million residents safer in uncertain times.

Sources: Times of India, News18, India Today