Govt tests air raid siren amid tensions with Pak

Amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, the Delhi Government initiated a major civil defence preparedness measure by testing an air raid siren atop the PWD headquarters at ITO here on Friday.

The trial, conducted in coordination with the Civil Defence Directorate, marked the beginning of a city-wide installation plan aimed at strengthening public safety in the national capital.

Delhi PWD and Water Minister Parvesh Verma, who supervised the test, said 40 to 50 more air raid sirens would be installed at prominent multi-storey buildings across the city. These sirens, which could be heard within a radius up to 8 km, will serve as an emergency warning system and will be centrally controlled via a dedicated command centre operated by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).

“In the event of an emergency, the sirens will sound for five minutes. This is a crucial step in our efforts to alert the public promptly and help them seek immediate shelter, either under tables or in designated safe zones like basements,” he said.

Officials said the deployment of the sirens was part of a broader strategy to build robust civil defence infrastructure in Delhi. Priority areas include high-density zones, key installations and sensitive locations. PWD and Civil Defence teams are expected to continue testing and monitoring the system over the coming days to ensure seamless functionality.

The minister said the Delhi Government was working in close coordination with disaster response agencies to spread awareness among residents about emergency protocols. The installations, he said, were not only a preventive measure but also a signal of the government’s commitment to public safety in times of crisis.