Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed deep concern over the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station, extending his condolences to the bereaved families and wishing a swift recovery for the injured.
He assured that authorities were actively assisting those impacted by the tragedy.
Sharing his sentiments on X, PM Modi wrote, “Distressed by the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured have a speedy recovery. The authorities are assisting all those who have been affected by this stampede.”
Distressed by the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured have a speedy recovery. The authorities are assisting all those who have been affected by this stampede.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 15, 2025
Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw also expressed sorrow over the unfortunate event.
“Deeply saddened by the unfortunate stampede that occurred at New Delhi Railway Station. My prayers are with all those who have lost their loved ones. The entire team is working to assist all those who have been affected by this tragic incident,” he posted on X.
Providing updates on the situation, Dilip Kumar, Executive Director of Information & Publicity (ED/IP) at the Railway Board, stated that an unusually large crowd had gathered at the station on Saturday, prompting railway authorities to operate four additional special trains.
“We received information that a few people fainted – they have been admitted to a local hospital,” he informed.
In response to the overcrowding, authorities temporarily restricted entry to the station to manage the situation.
“A two-member high-level committee has been formed to investigate the matter. The situation is now under control, and passengers have been accommodated on special trains. Train operations at the station are normal,” Kumar added.
The stampede, which took place on Saturday, left approximately 15 people injured. The Delhi Fire Service responded swiftly, dispatching four fire tenders to the site as part of the emergency measures.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Railway, KPS Malhotra, explained that the incident occurred when a massive crowd gathered on platform no. 14, where the Prayagraj Express was stationed. The situation was exacerbated by delays in the departures of Swatantrata Senani Express and Bhubaneshwar Rajdhani, leading to congestion at platforms 12, 13, and 14.
Reports suggest that around 1,500 general tickets were sold, causing an overwhelming rush. The congestion intensified near platform no. 14 and the escalator at platform no. 1.
Further elaborating on the incident, DCP Malhotra stated, “Two trains were delayed, and due to the increased footfall, the crowd grew massive. A few people sustained injuries. As of now, the situation is under control. The sudden rush occurred within a span of 15-20 minutes after a special train was announced, prompting passengers to scramble to board it.”
