One day following the dreadful stampede at New Delhi Railway Station that killed 18 people, industrialist Anand Mahindra stressed the urgency of a thorough national plan to avert future catastrophes. Describing the event as a “national disaster,” he emphasized that crowd control and safety must be given precedence throughout the country.
Need of a Crowd Control Structure
“We require a framework for crowd management that integrates technology and process analysis,” Mahindra stated on X. He urged Mahindra University’s Engineering and Management schools to collaborate on developing an actionable plan for better crowd management. “We all must contribute,” he added, calling for collective effort from various sectors.
Information on the Stampede Event
The stampede occurred around 10 p.m. on Saturday, as thousands of pilgrims rushed to board a special train to Prayagraj for the Mahakumbh. Eyewitnesses suggested panic spread after rumors that the Prayagraj Express would arrive on a different platform, leading to a chaotic rush. However, railway officials dismissed this explanation and attributed the incident to overcrowding at the station.
The chain reaction that brought about the disaster
Northern Railway’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Himanshu Upadhyay, clarified that the situation worsened when passengers coming from a foot-over-bridge toward platforms 14 and 15 fell down, starting a chain of events. Delayed Swatantrata Senani Express and Bhubaneswar Rajdhani made the traffic on platforms 12, 15, and 16 much worse, thereby worsening the confusion.
Casualties and Medical Response
Many of the victims were taken to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, where physicians verified chest and stomach wounds and where experts believe asphyxia was the cause of death. For the deceased, Indian Railways declared compensation for the victims’ families: Rs10 lakh; Rs2.5 lakh for the really wounded; and Rs1 lakh for the little injuries.
High-Level Inquiry and Strengthened Security Measures
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed that a “high-level inquiry” has been initiated into the stampede. One investigation committee made up of two members—PCCM Narsingh Deo of Northern Railway and PCSC Pankaj Gangwar—has been established to look into the incident. Reacting to the disaster, New Delhi Railway Station’s security has been beefed up in terms of more police officers and barriers to control crowd flow.
