India, May 7 -- LUCKNOW All districts of UP are in preparedness for the mega exercise as India braces for the nationwide civil defence mock drill on Wednesday (May 7). Originally, as per the union government's list, only 14 districts and some other places in UP - most of them known for their important defence establishments-- were to undertake the drill, but the UP government extended the exercise to all 75 districts, said officials.

Strategically important because of Taj Mahal and a prominent air base at Kheria, Agra is all set for the mock drill on Wednesday. District magistrate Arvind Mallappa Bangari has urged civilians not to panic and actively participate in the drill.

Agra had faced bombardment by enemy planes in the 1971 war and...