To evaluate the operational readiness of the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) in tackling natural or technical calamities, a two-day ‘Multi-Agency Disaster Preparedness Exercise’ was recently concluded. Organised under the joint aegis of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), the drill witnessed active participation from various Central and State Government agencies, showcasing a high level of emergency preparedness simulating various scenarios including Building partial or full collapse during Cyclone, Fire preparedness and Radiation Leak simulation among other scenarios.

The two-day program commenced with a comprehensive ‘Tabletop Exercise’ session, which involved detailed discussions on strategic planning and inter-departmental coordination during a crisis. This was followed by a demonstration of state-of-the-art rescue equipment and specialised vehicles essential for life-saving operations.

The core of the exercise was a ‘Full-Scale Mock Drill’ exercise designed to evaluate real-time responses, including the safe evacuation of people, search and rescue operations, hazard management, and the effective activation of Emergency Operation Centres (EOC).

The simulation involved a highly complex ‘multi-hazard’ situation, encompassing challenges such as a cyclone, fire incidents, and the leakage of hazardous radioactive materials. Under these demanding conditions, the agencies underwent rigorous testing on various parameters, including hazard control, fire suppression, evacuation of citizens and staff from multi-storey buildings, efficiency of communication systems, resource mobilization, and ensuring overall security at the site.

The mock exercise was graced by the presence of Dr. Dinesh Kumar Aswal and Major General Ajay Verma (Retd) from NDMA. It also saw active involvement from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Airport Authority of India (AAI), Armed Forces, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). Furthermore, local and technical bodies such as the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC), Panvel Municipal Corporation (PMC), CIDCO, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), local Fire Brigades, Civil Defence, Aapda Mitras and the state health Department.

To ensure immediate medical assistance during the drill, specialised teams from White Lotus Hospital (Kalamboli), Fortis Hospital (Vashi), and Apollo Hospital (CBD Belapur) were stationed on site.

The exercise ensured effective inter-agency coordination and identified potential systemic gaps.

The primary objective was to bolster the airport’s resilience in responding effectively to complex emergencies arising from extreme weather and sequential hazards.

The event was attended by Raigad District Collector Kishan Jawale, NDMA members Dr. Dinesh Kumar Aswal and Senior Consultant of critical infrastructure and key installations Major General Ajay Verma (Retd), Chief Consultant (CDRN) Dr. Vinod Kaushik, and Saras Seth, Member Secretary (Crisis Management) of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). Other officials included Manoj Sanap (Pr. Deputy Director of Information, Konkan Division), Pawan Chandak (SDO Panvel), Tehsildar (Panvel) Mrs. Minal Bhamre, Dr. Anand Gosavi (Chief Medical Officer, PMC), Amar Singh (Commandant, CRPF), Deepak Tiwari (Second-in-Command, NDRF), Amit Kumar (Controller of Explosives, PESO), Sanjay (Assistant Commandant, CISF), along with Section Officer Yogita Gavathe, Project Officer Sridatt Kamat, and District Disaster Management Officer Sagar Pathak.

The successful conclusion of this large-scale exercise has reinforced the response mechanisms and operational preparedness of the Navi Mumbai International Airport.