TV
In the aftermath of the recent Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued instructions for a full-scale rehearsal or mock drill to be conducted at all airports across the country. The move is aimed at strengthening airport emergency preparedness and response mechanisms in case of aviation disasters.
As part of this directive, a comprehensive mock drill has been scheduled to take place at the Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar on June 30.
This exercise will simulate a real-time aircraft emergency scenario and test the airport's ability to respond swiftly and effectively, sources said.
According to Bhubaneswar Airport Director, the drill will see active participation from various key agencies, including personnel from Civil Aviation, local police, medical teams, and fire services. The objective is to evaluate coordination among all stakeholders and ensure readiness in the event of an actual emergency.
The simulation will include multiple aspects: from the initial emergency response to rescue operations, evacuation of injured passengers, and provision of first aid and transportation to hospitals. It will also test how quickly and efficiently information is relayed to passenger relatives and concerned airline officials arriving at the airport.
In addition, a dedicated media room will be set up during the exercise to simulate real-time information dissemination. Officials will practice providing timely and accurate updates to the press and public during a crisis, said the airport director.
This mock drill is expected to expose any gaps in preparedness and allow authorities to fine-tune their protocols.
With the growing volume of air traffic and recent incidents raising safety concerns, the DGCA's move is seen as a proactive step to ensure that all airports are equipped to handle emergencies with minimum chaos and maximum efficiency.
