In a major step toward strengthening disaster preparedness, the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA) successfully conducted a statewide earthquake safety mock drill on 15 November 2025. The exercise was carried out across every district of the state to assess response capabilities and improve coordination among various departments during seismic emergencies.
Transport Department Leads Statewide Coordination
For this extensive preparedness exercise, the Transport Department of Uttarakhand appointed Dr. Anita Chamola, RTO Enforcement & Road Safety, Dehradun, as the State Nodal Officer. At the district level, the responsibility for managing and supervising the drill was assigned to the respective ARTOs.
Major Mock Drill Sites in Dehradun
The state capital Dehradun identified 10 key locations for conducting the earthquake mock drill. These included:
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THDC Rishikesh
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Maharana Pratap Stadium
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ISBT & MDDA Colony
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Araghar Power Substation
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Jal Sansthan Dilaram
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Pacific Mall
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Coronation Hospital
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Government Inter College Kasturba Gandhi, Kalsi
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Pata Village, Chakrata
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Selaqui Industrial Area
To ensure smooth operations, 18 personnel from the Transport Department were deployed across these sites, along with 22 vehicles designated for rescue and relief support.
Mock Drill Activities in Haridwar District
In Haridwar, the drill was organized at four strategic locations:
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Rishikul Ground
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BSM College, Roorkee
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New Tehsil Building, Bhagwanpur
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Sports Ground, Block Khanpur
A total of 17 staff members and 6 vehicles were assigned for relief tasks in the district.
Preparedness Efforts in Tehri District
The Tehri district administration conducted mock drills at three locations:
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Tehri Tehsil
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Ghansali Tehsil
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Kirtinagar Tehsil
For these operations, 7 personnel and 33 vehicles were mobilized to manage emergency response scenarios.
Widespread Mock Drills in Uttarkashi District
In Uttarkashi, mock drills were carried out at seven critical points:
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District Hospital
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GIC Barkot
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Block Office Dunda
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Ladari Power Substation
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Jangla Bridge / ITBP Copang
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Silkyara Tunnel
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Kedartal – Gangotri GLOF Zone
A total of 7 officers and staff were deployed to manage response activities at these locations.
Statewide Summary of Preparedness Activities
Overall, the Transport Department of Uttarakhand played a central role in supporting the earthquake preparedness drive. Across the state:
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50+ mock drill locations were identified
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90 transport personnel were deployed
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Over 150 vehicles were assigned for rescue, relief, and logistics
A Crucial Step Towards Earthquake Resilience
Uttarakhand, being a high-risk seismic zone, regularly conducts such exercises to ensure readiness and minimize risks during natural disasters. The successful completion of this mega mock drill reflects the state’s continuous commitment to enhancing earthquake resilience, improving inter-departmental coordination, and safeguarding public life.