Is the Delhi Government Enhancing Public Safety with New Air Raid Sirens?

Synopsis
Discover how the Delhi government is enhancing public safety through the installation of air raid sirens across the city. This initiative, sparked by recent military tensions, aims to improve emergency preparedness and public awareness. With plans for 50 new sirens, the city gears up for potential crises.
Key Takeaways
- Delhi Government tests air raid siren for public safety.
- Plans to install 40-50 sirens across the city.
- Sirens will be centrally operated by NDMA.
- Sirens can be heard up to 8 km away.
- Emergency protocol includes seeking shelter when sirens sound.
New Delhi, May 9 (NationPress) In a significant move to bolster public safety and emergency readiness, the Delhi government conducted a test of an air raid warning siren situated atop the Delhi Public Works Department (PWD) headquarters at ITO on Friday.
This test, executed in collaboration with the Civil Defence Directorate, arises in response to ongoing military tensions between India and Pakistan, as well as the Union government’s directive urging citizens and local authorities to be prepared for any potential incidents, including air strikes.
Delhi PWD Minister Parvesh Verma announced plans to install 40 to 50 air raid sirens on notable high-rise structures across the city.
These sirens are designed to function as a vital warning system during emergencies.
All sirens will be centrally operated from a dedicated command center and overseen by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Verma explained.
“The siren tested today has an audible range of up to eight kilometers,” he added.
“In case of an emergency, the sirens will sound for five minutes, alerting the public to seek immediate shelter under tables or in basements,” he stated.
The initiative to distribute air raid sirens throughout Delhi signifies a considerable enhancement of the city’s civil defense capabilities.
The Delhi government is coordinating closely with disaster response agencies to ensure coverage of all critical and sensitive areas while effectively communicating public safety protocols.
Teams from the PWD and Civil Defence will persist with testing and monitoring these installations in the forthcoming days to guarantee their full operational readiness.
This past Wednesday, mock drills were conducted in 244 districts across India in response to increased security following India’s air strikes on terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir.
Besides 15-minute blackouts, air raid sirens were activated to practice evacuation procedures involving civil defense volunteers and the general public.
In Delhi, fire evacuation drills were organized in schools, shopping malls, and multi-storey residential complexes.