Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, May 11: Facing long-standing challenges like staff shortages and limited resources, Maharashtra’s Civil Defence force is undergoing a revival, with the state government rolling out reforms and awareness initiatives as tensions rise on the India-Pakistan front.

In a bid to reinforce the force's readiness and public involvement, the Directorate of Civil Defence recently conducted large-scale mock drills across Pune, Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and coastal districts. These exercises mobilised over 10,000 personnel, including volunteers from the Civil Defence, Home Guard, NDRF, and other emergency services.

The drills come at a time when the agency is grappling with a manpower crunch and outdated equipment — from a lack of rescue vans and ambulances to insufficient sirens and modern training tools.

Recognising the vital role of civil defence during emergencies and wartime situations, the state is also integrating it into academia. A new Civil Defence course will be added to the engineering curriculum under the University of Mumbai, beginning the upcoming academic year. The course will carry a weightage of 25 marks and be introduced across all affiliated engineering colleges.

“This initiative will give students a unique opportunity to contribute to national service while continuing their education,” said Prabhat Kumar, Director of Civil Defence. “They’ll be trained in rescue operations, emergency response, and coordination with disaster management units, fire services, and hospitals.”

The move is part of a larger government strategy to revamp and revitalise the civil defence framework. Officials say steps are being taken to address fundamental gaps such as low daily allowances for personnel, outdated emergency systems, and limited mobility infrastructure.

As the spotlight returns to civil defence in the wake of national security concerns, Maharashtra is taking decisive steps to prepare its frontline civilian responders for future crises.