New Delhi Railway Station saw a continued influx of passengers for over 12 hours following a tragic stampede that claimed the lives of at least 18 people, predominantly women and children. The incident occurred as travelers waited to board trains heading to Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, for the ongoing Maha Kumbh festival.
In the wake of the tragedy, additional police forces have been stationed at the platforms, and ropes have been set up to manage the crowd, following the incident that occurred around 10 PM on Saturday.
“There was an unusually large crowd at platforms 12, 15, and 16. Normally, it’s not this crowded,” a shopkeeper at the station told NDTV.
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who has mandated a “high-level inquiry” to investigate the cause of the incident, announced that additional special trains are being operated from New Delhi to manage the overwhelming flow of devotees.
The Railways has also revealed the names of two senior administrative officials who will be included in the inquiry committee tasked with investigating the stampede.
Narsingh Deo, Principal Chief Commercial Manager of Northern Railway, and Pankaj Gangwar, Principal Chief Security Commissioner of Northern Railway, have been appointed as members of the inquiry committee.
The inquiry committee has already begun its investigation and instructed the preservation of all video footage from the New Delhi Railway Station. The Railways has also announced compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the families of those who lost their lives in the incident. Those seriously injured will receive Rs 2.5 lakh, while individuals with minor injuries will be compensated with Rs 1 lakh.
Eyewitnesses reported that the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station was triggered by a rumor that the Prayagraj Express would arrive on a different platform. However, Railway authorities have refuted this claim.
Northern Railway’s Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Himanshu Upadhyay stated that the stampede occurred when some people descending from a foot-over bridge towards platforms 14 and 15 lost their footing on the stairs and fell onto others.
He clarified, “No train was canceled, nor was there any change in platform.” He also mentioned that at the time of the incident, the Patna-bound Magadh Express was stationed at platform 14, while the New Delhi-Jammu Uttar Sampark Kranti Express was on platform 15.
