On a tragic February 15, 2025, New Delhi Railway Station witnessed a catastrophe as a stampede claimed the lives of 18 people, including 11 women and 5 children. The chaos injured more than a dozen other passengers, casting a shadow over the festivities of the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj that many were en route to attend.
The Causes Behind the Chaos
The origins of this disaster can be largely traced back to the enormous guest list the station received that day. In a relentless swell, railway officials had been issuing an astounding 1,500 tickets per hour for general seating. Unsurprisingly, this led to platforms 14 and 16 being overwhelmed by the sheer volume of passengers, including those waiting for delayed rail services like the Swatantra Senani Express and Bhubaneswar Rajdhani Express, as well as a special train to Prayagraj.
Amid this crowd, a moment of panic ensued following an abrupt announcement about a train arrival on platform 14. Witnesses described the scene as one of pure pandemonium, with people pushing, shoving, and many failing under the press of bodies, ultimately resulting in the fateful stampede near the escalators. Desperate cries filled the air as some fainted due to lack of air and space.
Official Response and Public Outcry
In the wake of this tragedy, responses poured in from officials and political leaders alike. Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw promptly declared compensation packages: Rs 10 lakh for the families of those deceased, Rs 2.5 lakh for individuals with serious injuries, and Rs 1 lakh for minor injuries. Additionally, he established an inquiry committee led by Railway Board members Narsingh Deo and Pankaj Gangwar, illustrating a commitment to comprehensively analyzing what went wrong.
Political reactions were swift and potent, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi sharing his condolences and messages of support for affected families. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed his disdain over such an incident happening, while opposition voices criticized the railway's administration for perceived negligence in managing the passenger influx.
To uncover the truth, Delhi Police are sifting through CCTV footage, aiming to piece together the sequence of events and identify the core triggers. The investigation zeroes in on crowd management failures and the timing and content of platform announcements.
The stampede at New Delhi Railway Station has certainly left a scar not just on those directly involved, but has raised significant questions about the systems in place to handle such large crowds and the accountability of those meant to safeguard public safety.
