Noida: Noida International Airport (NIA) conducted “SAKSHAM 2026”, a full-scale crisis preparedness exercise on 29 October, bringing together airport stakeholders, including airlines, government authorities, emergency response agencies and district administration, to ensure readiness and smooth coordination in responding to an emergency.
SAKSHAM 2026, was conducted in line with ICAO guidelines, the exercise simulated an airport emergency scenario to assess the airport’s preparedness, emergency response systems and coordination among participating agencies. The drill saw an active participation from IndiGo, Airport Authority of India (AAI), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), UP Police, Airport Medical Service, District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), District Health Department, UP Fire & Emergency Services (UP F&ES), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Hospital Partners.
The exercise covered key response activities, including emergency alert activation, firefighting and rescue operations, and the mobilisation of emergency response teams and resources. It also assessed traffic management arrangements and green corridor facilitation, to enable the swift transportation of casualties to the designated medical facilities.
Communication protocols, information sharing and response timelines were also evaluated to understand how effectively the participating agencies could work together in a time-sensitive situation. The exercise provided an opportunity to review existing procedures, assess coordination between teams and identify areas that may require further attention.
Commenting on the exercise, Nitu Samra, Chief Executive Officer, Noida International Airport, said: “Safety and preparedness are central to airport operations. In an emergency, an effective response depends on how well different teams and agencies coordinate with one another. Exercises like this allow us to test our procedures, understand where improvements may be needed and work closely with the relevant authorities to ensure we are prepared to respond when required.”
The exercise is part of Noida International Airport’s ongoing efforts to review its emergency response procedures and strengthen coordination with the authorities and agencies responsible for managing emergency situations. Regular drills help teams familiarise themselves with their respective roles and assess their readiness to respond to different scenarios.