Punjab: Ferozepur Cantonment conducts 30-minute blackout drill amid heightened security concerns
PTC Web Desk: In a proactive measure to assess emergency preparedness, the Ferozepur Cantonment Board carried out a 30-minute mock drill on Sunday evening, during which electricity supply was cut and vehicular movement came to a halt across the cantonment area. The drill began at 9 pm and concluded at 9.30 pm, affecting over 60,000 residents in the area.
The exercise comes in the wake of escalating tensions between India and Pakistan following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. Officials emphasized that the blackout was a routine safety procedure aimed at enhancing response capabilities during crisis situations.
Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate Deepshikha Sharma assured locals earlier in the day that the activity was planned and advised residents to remain calm. The Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) facilitated the operation by cutting off power supply for the designated duration.
During the drill, hooters were sounded continuously, and police personnel maintained vigilance on the streets to simulate a real-time emergency response. Residents within a 10-km radius were advised by Vikas Johns, CEO of the Ferozepur Cantonment Board, to switch off private generators and inverters to ensure the integrity of the exercise.
This type of safety drill is not new to the region. A similar operation was carried out in December 2001 and January 2002 after the Parliament attack, according to a local resident.
The power was fully restored by 9.30 pm, marking the end of the exercise. The authorities praised public cooperation and reiterated the importance of such drills in ensuring the safety and readiness of both civilians and military personnel in the area.
- PTC NEWS
