The city of Amritsar, a significant district in Punjab bordering Pakistan and currently under heightened security protocols, has once again initiated a complete blackout as part of a state-wide civil defence preparedness drill. The exercise, which commenced earlier today, Thursday, May 8, 2025, is designed to evaluate the city’s readiness and the response of its residents and essential services in the event of a large-scale power outage or other emergency scenarios.
Following a similar blackout drill conducted yesterday across various parts of Punjab, including Amritsar, the district administration has deemed it necessary to resume the exercise to further assess and refine the city’s civil defence mechanisms. The resumption of the blackout, especially in a border district like Amritsar, underscores the state government’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of its citizens in the face of potential threats, both natural and security-related.
The District Public Relations Officer (DPRO) of Amritsar has issued an urgent appeal to all residents, urging them to remain calm and avoid any panic during the blackout. In an official statement released this morning, the DPRO emphasized that the blackout is purely a precautionary measure undertaken as part of a larger civil defence drill aimed at evaluating the city’s preparedness for emergencies.
The DPRO’s statement specifically requested residents to stay indoors, refrain from gathering outside their homes, and ensure that all external lights of their residences are switched off for the duration of the drill. This cooperation from the public is crucial for the successful execution of the exercise, as it allows the authorities to accurately assess the level of compliance and the overall effectiveness of the blackout measures.
The ongoing civil defence drill in Amritsar is part of a larger, nationwide initiative ordered by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to evaluate the emergency preparedness of various states and union territories across the country. These drills are designed to simulate hostile scenarios, including potential air raids or significant disruptions to essential services, and to assess the response capabilities of local authorities, emergency services, and the general public.
The timing of these civil defence drills across Punjab, and particularly in border districts like Amritsar, is significant. They follow closely on the heels of the Indian armed forces’ “Operation Sindoor,” a retaliatory strike on terrorist infrastructure inside Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) in response to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. The heightened security environment in the border regions necessitates a high level of preparedness for any potential escalation or security-related incidents.
Yesterday’s blackout drill in Amritsar, which lasted for approximately half an hour during the late evening, served as an initial assessment of the city’s ability to implement a complete shutdown of lights and the public’s response to such a scenario. According to local reports, while a significant portion of the residents cooperated with the drill by switching off their lights, there were also instances of non-compliance. The resumption of the blackout today suggests that the authorities are seeking to reinforce the importance of public cooperation and to further evaluate the city’s ability to enforce a complete blackout if required during a real emergency.
The civil defence drills are not limited to blackouts. They also encompass simulations of other emergency scenarios, such as fire emergencies, medical crises, and the effectiveness of search and rescue operations. These comprehensive drills aim to test the coordination and response capabilities of all essential services, including the fire department, ambulance services, and disaster management teams.
The active participation of the public is considered vital for the success of these drills. By cooperating with the instructions issued by the authorities, residents not only contribute to the effectiveness of the exercise but also become more aware of the necessary precautions to take during a real emergency. The DPRO’s repeated appeals for residents not to panic and to stay indoors are aimed at ensuring that the drill is conducted smoothly and without causing unnecessary alarm or disruption to daily life.
The resumption of the blackout in Amritsar today underscores the seriousness with which the district administration and the state government are approaching the issue of civil defence preparedness, especially in light of the prevailing regional security scenario. By conducting these realistic drills and urging public cooperation, the authorities aim to build a resilient and prepared community capable of effectively responding to any future threats or emergencies.