Mumbai: Against the backdrop of rising tensions between India and Pakistan, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis held a high-level meeting on Friday, May 9, to assess the state’s overall security preparedness. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was also present during the review.

Senior officials, including Acting Chief Secretary Rajeshkumar, Director General of Police Rashmi Shukla, Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti, BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, Additional Director General of Civil Defence Prabhatkumar, Principal Secretary of Home Department Radhika Rastogi, and representatives from the intelligence department and district collectors of Mumbai and Mumbai Suburban were in attendance.

Fadnavis issued a comprehensive set of directives to strengthen the state’s emergency preparedness:

• Mandatory Mock Drills & District War Rooms: Every district must conduct mock drills and establish a dedicated war room to coordinate emergency responses effectively.
• Blackout Protocols for Hospitals: Hospitals must have backup power systems and dark curtains or tinted glass to prevent visibility during blackouts, ensuring operational continuity without revealing targets.
• Public Awareness Campaigns: Educational videos explaining blackouts and safety protocols must be disseminated to students and citizens for better preparedness.
• Study & Implement Union War Book: All departments are instructed to thoroughly study the Union Government’s ‘War Book’ and ensure its provisions are understood and implemented.
• Cyber Surveillance & Misinformation Control: District cyber cells are directed to monitor social media platforms, identify Pakistan-linked handles, and take swift legal action against misinformation or pro-enemy narratives.
• Emergency Funds for Districts: Each District Collector will be allotted emergency funds immediately for quick procurement of essential materials. Any related proposal should be approved within one hour.
• MMR Municipal Meeting on Blackouts: All municipal corporations in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region are to be briefed on blackout protocols. Cooperative housing societies must be involved in the initiative.
• Enhanced Vigilance & Combing Operations: Police forces are advised to increase patrolling and carry out more combing operations to counter potential anti-national activities.
• Ban on Filming Military Movements: Recording and sharing footage of military preparedness on social media is prohibited and will be treated as a criminal offense.
• Strengthening Coastal Security: If required, fishing trawlers may be hired to boost coastal patrolling.
• Transparent Public Communication: Government must ensure accurate and real-time updates reach the public during any emergency situation.
• Cyber Audits of Critical Infrastructure: Given the possibility of cyberattacks on crucial infrastructure like power generation and distribution, immediate cybersecurity audits must be conducted.
• Enhanced Coordination with Armed Forces: Heads of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard based in Mumbai will be invited to the next review meeting via video conferencing to strengthen inter-agency coordination.

The proactive measures signal the state government’s commitment to safeguarding Maharashtra’s citizens and infrastructure during heightened national security scenarios.