PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE | Dehradun
The Dehradun district administration has equipped 13 key locations across the city with long range emergency sirens to alert citizens during situations such as war or air raids and guide them to safety. For the first time in the district, vital installations such as military and paramilitary units, the airport, major hospitals and the ISBT are being equipped with a rapid communication system.
This setup will ensure real-time communication between all institutions during any external threat or emergency, the Dehradun district magistrate Savin Bansal said. He informed that the emergency communication network and public warning alert system in the district are being upgraded after many years. The newly installed sirens cover eight to 16 kilometres and have been set up at strategic police stations and outposts.
Each siren is connected to both the respective police station and the district emergency operation centre, ensuring simultaneous activation when needed, he said. Such sirens were also used during mock drills conducted earlier this year ahead of Operation Sindoor, which focused on preparedness for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) threats. The drills helped test the efficiency of the sirens and raised awareness among the public regarding emergency response protocols.
The DM informed that in the next phase, the administration plans to extend the siren network to other parts of the district, including Rishikesh, Vikasnagar and Chakrata. The system aims to strengthen civil defence infrastructure and improve public safety during disasters or external threats by enabling fast and coordinated alerts, he added.
