Delhi on high alert after India-Pak escalation: Govt cancels all leaves, air raid sirens installed

This includes doctors and staff in Delhi government hospitals as well.

The Delhi Police headquarters also directed that no leaves will be given to its personnel till further orders.

District Magistrates (DMs) across the city, meanwhile, have been asked to ensure that air raid sirens are installed across the Capital by Friday. The Delhi Airport has an existing system in place.

Till late Thursday evening, both electrical and manual sirens were installed in Dwarka, Uttam Nagar, Najafgarh and Kapashera.

According to sources, all DMs were ordered to work through the night to ensure directions are followed and preparations for emergency response are made in all 11 districts.

Mock drills were conducted in 55 locations in Delhi on Wednesday, which included blackouts in several places.

According to the police sources, anti-aircraft guns were deployed across the Capital, and the New Delhi district would see deployment of paramilitary commandos and SWAT teams. Security has been stepped up in key areas; police personnel in other districts will also conduct ‘extra’ security checks, a senior police officer said.

Local police and paramilitary personnel have also been deployed at the CGO Complex in South Delhi. All Deputy Commissioners of Police have been asked to be on alert and hold mock drill exercises in coordination with the Civil Defence, Delhi Fire Services (DFS), and other government authorities.

To ensure public safety measures across the district, Bomb Disposal Squads (BDS) conducted drills in congested areas in the Capital. “BDS teams undertook vigilance exercises against potential threats by conducting checks at congested markets, malls, and other high-density areas,” DCP (Southwest) Surender Chaudhary said.

Security at Metro stations across Delhi was also stepped up with personnel from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) deployed for extra vigil.

“Nine CISF personnel — seven men and two women — are deployed at the Mayur Vihar Phase 1 Metro station. Around 41 CCTV cameras will be monitoring the station to ensure the security of commuters,” DCP (East) Abhishek Dhania said.

On Thursday, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) issued an advisory for blackouts. “It is advised that during ‘Declared Power Blackout’, no alternate/backup power supply should be switched on to ensure safety and security of the Capital,” it said.

Sources in the local civic body said the advisory was issued because during Wednesday’s drill, several hotels, restaurants, and shops switched to power backups, defeating the purpose of a blackout.

NDMC officials also said the area’s powerhouses have been connected with the Tughlakabad Air Force Station, and next time a blackout occurs, it will be coordinated through the station.

In notifications released late Thursday night, meanwhile, the Haryana government and its health and fire departments asked civil employees not to leave their headquarters or areas where they are posted.

The Directorate of Fire and Emergency Services directed that employees’ leaves sanctioned be cancelled forthwith “in light of the prevailing situation in the country and the increasing risk of fire incidents due to changing environmental and operational conditions”. The department stressed that it is “imperative to strengthen fire safety preparedness across all districts in the state”.

Likewise, the Haryana Directorate of Health Services has stated that there will be no further leave sanctioned, and government doctors cannot leave their stations without its approval.

The State’s Human Resources Department has asked government employees, including civil servants, university employees, PSU employees, etc, to strictly not leave their stations or headquarters.