Civic Indiscipline Bigger Threat in a Crisis

Hyderabad: As sirens pierced the afternoon air and emergency teams staged mock rescues across Hyderabad during the recent civil defence drills, the city briefly stepped into the shoes of a population bracing for war. But no sooner did the smoke machines cool than the usual city chaos crept back in — cars on footpaths, garbage tossed into drains, and zero thought to how public space might be used in a real crisis.

While officials declared the drills a success on paper, several admitted privately that the real danger wasn’t enemy fire — it was citizens’ indifference.

“In any emergency, seconds count. If a fire truck or ambulance can’t get through because a car is blocking the way or a footpath is unusable, the cost could be lives,” said a senior GHMC official who was involved in drill coordination at Secunderabad on Wednesday.

At the mock drill location outside AR Millenium Residency, this played out in real time. A government vehicle arrived and parked squarely in the middle of the exercise zone. Mics had to be used to call out the vehicle number and urge the driver to move it immediately to clear the route for simulated ambulance and fire truck movement. “It was ironic — and very telling,” one volunteer noted.

Civic activist Anupama Rao, said, “We can prepare for war, but let’s first learn how to use a dustbin or park without blocking roads. You can’t have civil defence without civic sense.”

Blocked lanes, overflowing trash bins, dug-up footpaths, and unregulated street parking are more than just urban irritants. In wartime or any large-scale disaster, they become dangerous hazards. “Garbage piles attract disease, broken signage confuses rescue teams, and badly lit streets delay evacuation at night. It’s not theoretical — it’s proven,” said Vishal Narang, who runs workshops on urban disaster response.

He believes the city needs a system of accountability for civic behaviour. “Why not introduce neighbourhood-wise civic scores? If your area has constant violations — wrong parking, waste dumping — it reflects in your score. Over time, this could affect access to incentives or services. It’s not about punishment, but creating pressure for change.”

The consequences of civic neglect aren’t limited to drill days. In past emergencies such as fires or flood events, emergency vehicles have struggled to reach affected houses due to illegal parking or blocked access roads. “The same footpath you dump debris on could be where you’re asked to lie down during triage. That’s the reality we need to internalise,” Anupama added.

City officials said discussions are underway to increase citizen engagement in drills and build long-term behavioural change. “Civil defence is not just a uniformed team or a siren, it’s also a citizen who keeps a street clean, clears a parking spot, and thinks about others in a crisis,” said the GHMC official.