Punjab to conduct 15-minute blackout mock drill across districts today at 8 pm

PTC Web Desk: Punjab is set to carry out a coordinated 15-minute blackout mock drill across several districts on Friday night as part of a large-scale emergency preparedness exercise. The drill, scheduled between 8 pm and 8.15 pm, is being conducted under the directions of the Union Home Ministry to assess readiness in case of wartime or crisis situations.

Authorities said sirens will be sounded to signal the beginning of the blackout, during which residents will be required to switch off all lights. The use of generators, inverters and even torches will be restricted to simulate real emergency conditions. At the end of the exercise, a continuous two-minute siren will indicate the “all clear,” after which normal activities can resume.

Officials clarified that the exercise is only a mock drill and urged people not to panic but to cooperate fully. In addition to the blackout, civil defence teams will also conduct rescue and relief simulations at designated locations across districts.

In Ludhiana, the blackout will be observed from 8 pm to 8.15 pm, with a siren scheduled at 7.55 pm. The drill will cover areas under PAU, Kitchlu Nagar and Agar Nagar divisions, with multiple locations earmarked for mock operations.

Amritsar will witness a slightly shorter blackout of 10 minutes, from 8 pm to 8.10 pm, centered around Ranjit Avenue, where an air raid simulation will also take place at Pytex Ground.

In Mohali, the exercise will be conducted around the District Administrative Complex in Sector 76 and adjoining areas during the same time window.

Pathankot will begin its drill with a two-minute siren at 7.58 PM, followed by a 15-minute blackout across 50 municipal wards. A concluding siren at 8.15 PM will mark the end of the exercise. Rural areas, however, will not be affected.

Jalandhar will limit the drill to Khalsa College for Women campus, where a blackout will be enforced at 8 pm as part of a localised emergency response test.

Tarn Taran, Fazilka, Bathinda and Ferozepur will also participate in the drill with varying levels of blackout enforcement and emergency simulations. Border district Fazilka is expected to observe stricter precautions due to its proximity to Pakistan.

Officials added that essential services will remain operational throughout the exercise, even as power supply may be temporarily suspended in selected markets, government buildings and residential areas.

The state government said such drills were crucial to strengthening public response systems and ensuring better coordination during emergencies.