New Delhi, May 7: A 15-minute blackout will be observed in the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) area on Wednesday.
From 8-8:15 pm, the NDMC will black out as part of the nationwide mock drill to assess emergency preparedness in responding to emergency and warlike situations.
The exercise, directed by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), aims to test the readiness of critical infrastructure, essential services, and local authorities to handle sudden power outages and other crisis scenarios.
The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) area encompasses several key landmarks and neighborhoods in the heart of India's capital. This region includes prominent locations such as Rashtrapati Bhavan, Parliament House, India Gate, Connaught Place, and various government offices and diplomatic missions. The NDMC jurisdiction covers approximately 42.7 square kilometers, often referred to as Lutyens' Delhi, and is known for its administrative significance and well-planned infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the officials have advised residents, business organisations, and institutions in the NDMC area to take necessary precautions, including keeping emergency lights and torches ready, unplugging sensitive electronic equipment, and avoiding unnecessary travel during the blackout.
Critical services like hospitals, emergency response teams, and public safety agencies have been instructed to activate their backup power systems to ensure uninterrupted operations during the mock blackout.
Security personnel and traffic police have also been alerted for the scheduled blackout to ensure public safety and minimize inconvenience. Authorities have urged the residents to remain calm and cooperate with the drill to help strengthen the city's overall disaster response framework.
The NDMA, which oversees the nationwide drill, has stressed the importance of the blackout amid the ongoing border tensions and heightened threat perceptions.
