Don’t panic, it’s a test: Why air raid sirens are back, 17 months after ‘Operation Sindoor’

On October 8 and 9, Mumbai's civic body announced that air raid sirens would be tested in the Fort area, urging citizens not to be alarmed by the sound. This test was part of a larger nationwide exercise following the "Operation Sindoor," which took place two months prior. Similar tests had been conducted in Rajasthan and Bihar, signaling a push for a unified air raid warning system across the country.

This system, being developed by the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), aims to centralize the triggering of sirens via text message, replacing the previous patchwork of state-specific systems. The trials have been ongoing in border and coastal states, with experts evaluating factors such as sound coverage, duration, technical connectivity, and local needs.

The ultimate goal is to create a device capable of "centralised siren triggering," ensuring a consistent and effective warning system for all regions.