The Sirens of War: Kolkata revives WWII-Era Air raid sirens amid renewed security concerns

BI News, Kolkata, May 26, 2025:- In the heart of Kolkata, a city steeped in colonial history and resilience, echoes from the past are finding new relevance. Amid rising border tensions this month, authorities have launched a city-wide initiative to survey, identify, and restore air raid sirens that date back to World War II—a time when Kolkata, then Calcutta, was a strategic target during Japanese bombings.

This revival project, undertaken by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation in collaboration with the state disaster management department, aims to assess both the functionality and historical value of these sirens, many of which remain perched atop fire stations, old colonial buildings, and administrative offices.

For many residents, the unmistakable wail of a siren is more than a historical footnote—it’s a lived memory. “During the 1971 India-Pakistan war, every time the siren went off, we would huddle in silence inside our Kolkata home, praying for safety,” recalls Srinanda Chakraborty, now 75. “Even as a child, I understood the gravity of that sound.”

Adding a deeply personal layer to this effort is the story of Gopal Chandra Mukherjee, better known as Gopal Patha, a freedom fighter and one of the earliest civilian custodians of these wartime instruments. His grandson, social worker and businessman Santanu Mukherjee, has maintained a rare electric siren that his grandfather once acquired and used during periods of national emergency. “My grandfather believed in being prepared, and the siren symbolized that spirit,” Santanu shared. “It’s heartening to see the city honouring that legacy.”

So far, more than two dozen sirens have been located, primarily in older quarters of the city like Bowbazar, Shyambazar, and Dalhousie. Restoration work is underway to determine which ones can be repaired and reintegrated into the city’s civil defense mechanism. Experts believe the sirens could act as vital analog backups in case digital alert systems are disrupted during emergencies.

“These sirens may be old, but their value is timeless,” said a disaster response official. “They remind us that civic resilience is as much about remembering as it is about readiness.”

The city also plans to conduct public awareness drives to familiarize citizens with the function and sound of the sirens, especially for younger generations who have never heard them before.

In reviving these wartime warning systems, Kolkata is not just preparing for the uncertainties of today—it is also paying homage to the bravery, foresight, and community spirit that helped it endure the trials of history.

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