Ludhiana Blackout for 15 Minutes, Sirens Sound Across City

April 24, 2026

Ludhiana: Tonight in Ludhiana, various parts of the city experienced a blackout from 8:00 PM to 8:15 PM. The district administration conducted this blackout mock drill in accordance with directives issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. The blackout was observed in areas falling under the PAU, Kitchlu Nagar and Agr Nagar divisions of Ludhiana.

At 7:55 PM, a siren sounded at the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), followed by the implementation of the blackout in the designated areas at 8:00 PM.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Poonam Singh stated that the blackout mock drill was successfully conducted today. She emphasized that there is no need for the public to panic. This exercise was carried out purely as a preparatory measure, aimed at assessing the readiness to handle any potential emergency situations in the future. She appealed to the public not to pay heed to—or circulate any rumors or misinformation.

Restrictions Imposed on Generators, Inverters and Other Light Sources

ADC Poonam Singh noted that the public extended their full cooperation during the mock drill, ensuring that all lights remained switched off. Furthermore, the use of generator sets, power backup systems, torches, candles, or matchsticks was strictly avoided. Following the sounding of the siren, the PSPCL temporarily suspended the electricity supply as part of the exercise.

Multiple Agencies, Including NDRF and SDRF Participated

The Additional Deputy Commissioner urged that the blackout exercise be treated with the utmost seriousness and realism. The mock drill commenced with the sounding of an alarm at the PAU campus. Several agencies participated in the exercise, including the NDRF, SDRF, Fire Brigade, District Administration, Municipal Corporation, Police, Health Department, Civil Defence, and the NCC.