The full-scale exercise brought together airlines, government authorities, emergency response agencies and district administration to assess crisis preparedness and coordination.
Noida: Noida International Airport (NIA) conducted SAKSHAM 2026, a full-scale crisis preparedness exercise on October 29, bringing together airport stakeholders, including airlines, government authorities, emergency response agencies and district administration, to assess readiness and coordination during an emergency.
Conducted in line with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) guidelines, the exercise simulated an airport emergency scenario to evaluate the airport’s preparedness, emergency response systems and coordination among participating agencies.
The drill saw participation from IndiGo, Airports 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.
Exercise Tests Emergency Response and Rescue Operations
SAKSHAM 2026 covered key response activities, including emergency alert activation, firefighting and rescue operations, and the mobilisation of emergency response teams and resources.
The exercise also assessed traffic management arrangements and green corridor facilitation to enable the swift transportation of casualties to designated medical facilities.
These activities were designed to evaluate how effectively the airport and participating agencies could mobilise personnel, equipment and other resources during an emergency situation.
Communication and Inter-Agency Coordination Under Assessment
The exercise evaluated communication protocols, information sharing and response timelines to understand how effectively participating agencies could work together in a time-sensitive situation.
It also 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. 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.”
Airport Continues Focus on Emergency Preparedness
The exercise forms 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. Through exercises such as SAKSHAM 2026, the airport continues to evaluate its preparedness and the effectiveness of its emergency response arrangements.
