Mock drills will be conducted in India on May 7 after the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) directed several states across India to conduct the training on Wednesday to enhance civil defence preparedness.

The following measures will be implemented: activation of air raid warning sirens, training of civilians, students, and others on civil defence techniques to protect themselves during hostile situations, implementation of crash blackout protocols, early camouflage arrangements for critical installations and plants, and updating and rehearsing the evacuation plan.

This development has led to questions over the upcoming IPL encounter between Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings at Eden Gardens on May 7. Former India legend Sunil Gavaskar shared his thoughts and stated that these safety drills won't stop the IPL matches.

"Till something happens, I don't think it'll impact the IPL. Yes, in the evening, when the match is being played, there will be of course, there will be perhaps the lights-off drill in the city. Then I think that could be a little bit of a concern," Gavaskar told Sports Today.

"But as of now, I don't see the drill really affecting the IPL. I think, look, everybody here in India is feeling really safe and secure. There's no need to worry. I mean, we have the utmost faith in our armed forces. Because of them, we have been sleeping so peacefully all these years. I don't think anybody's feeling insecure. Even the overseas guys are not feeling insecure," he added.

The last time such elaborate drills were conducted in the country was during the build-up of the 1971 war.

There have been rising tensions in relations between India and Pakistan after the April 22 terror attack in south Kashmir's Pahalgam, in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed.

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