Drill or danger? Lt Col Bali decodes first nationwide civil defence exercise since 1971

Lt Col Gaurav Bali

Lt Colonel Gaurav Bali, a decorated army officer and Gallantry Awardee, shares his insights on the national civil defence drill held on May 7, marking the first such event since the 1971 India-Pakistan war. With his extensive experience in military operations, Lt Col Bali sheds light on the importance of preparation, the role of civilians in disaster management, and the unique challenges Mumbai faces in ensuring readiness for emergencies. Here are the excerpts from the conversation. To watch the complete interview, scan the QR code.

Q: For the first time since the 1971 war, a national civil defence drill was held on May 7. Is it just a drill - or a sign of something bigger?
Lt Col Gaurav Bali (retd): It's always better to be prepared than caught unaware.
This is a proactive step by the government to train civilian forces for emergencies. Every civilian is a soldier in spirit.

Was this meant only for disaster preparedness or something more serious?
Bali: The drill, codenamed Operation Abhyas, focused on training volunteers and emergency response teams - how to act during disasters or crisis situations.

How can civilians be better prepared?
Bali: Start from schools, colleges, corporates, and even RWAs. Hold regular drills. Use theatre and cinema to spread awareness. We need to normalise this, like Japan or Israel do.

Blackout drills were part of this. How do blackouts help during attacks?
Bali: Blackouts reduce the chances of detection during aerial strikes. The idea is to create pitch darkness - no lights, shut curtains - so that enemy aircraft can't identify targets.

What unique challenges does Mumbai face during such drills?
Bali: Mumbai never stops. High population density, vertical infrastructure, traffic jams, and coastal vulnerability make coordination tough. Add to that low public awareness and the need for multi-agency sync.

How can a city like Mumbai be disaster-ready?
Bali: What we did in Abhyas was a good start. Despite the rain, 18 agencies worked in sync. There needs to be a central command - usually led by the district collector - with each agency given specific roles, from traffic to medical aid to media. SOP awareness is key.