After the tragic Delhi Railway Station stampede that claimed 18 lives, Indian Railways announces a major crowd-control overhaul, including real-time monitoring, colour-coded zones, and increased security. Read about the new safety measures.
A stampede at New Delhi Railway Station (NDLS) on Saturday night left 18 people dead, triggering urgent action from the Ministry of Railways to revamp crowd-control measures across the country. The deadly incident, caused by confusion over delayed trains, underscores the urgent need for enhanced passenger safety protocols—especially during high-traffic events like the Maha Kumbh.
What Triggered the Stampede?
The chaos erupted on platforms 13 and 14 when a huge crowd gathered for three delayed trains—one of them a special service to the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. The simultaneous sale of around 1,500 general-category tickets further escalated the situation, leading to panic and a fatal rush.
The Maha Kumbh, which concludes on February 26, continues to draw lakhs of devotees to Prayagraj for a holy dip in the Sangam—the sacred confluence of rivers. With the number of travelers still rising, authorities are rushing to prevent another disaster.
Railways’ Massive Crowd-Control Overhaul
In response to the tragedy, Indian Railways has announced a six-month safety campaign featuring:
✅ Colour-Coded Zones: Special holding areas with designated pathways for organized crowd movement.
✅ Real-Time Monitoring: A centralized ‘war room’ will track crowd density at key stations.
✅ Advanced Tech & Surveillance: 200+ new CCTV cameras will be installed at Delhi’s railway stations.
✅ Police Deployment: Delhi Police has assigned six experienced Inspector-rank officers to oversee crowd management at NDLS.
✅ Restricted Entry: Platform ticket sales will be halted for seven hours daily (4 PM – 11 PM) to curb unnecessary foot traffic. However, senior citizens and persons with disabilities will be exempt.
✅ Enhanced Railway Police Force Presence: To prevent overcrowding and manage crisis situations more effectively.
60 High-Traffic Stations to Get Special Monitoring
Authorities have identified 60 railway stations across India as high-traffic zones due to the Maha Kumbh rush. Of these, 35 stations that directly connect to Prayagraj will receive priority monitoring via a real-time war room system.
This decision comes after past tragedies, including the January 29 stampede at Prayagraj’s Sangam, which killed 30 people on Mauni Amavasya—one of the most sacred bathing days.
For context, on that single day, 17 lakh passengers passed through a single railway station, overwhelming existing infrastructure.
Eyewitness Accounts: What Really Happened?
Initial reports suggest the Delhi stampede may have been triggered by misinformation. Witnesses claim a rumor spread that the Prayagraj Express would arrive at a different platform, causing passengers to rush to reposition themselves.
However, railway authorities refute this claim, asserting that no train schedules or platform assignments were altered.
Northern Railways spokesperson Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay explained that the tragedy unfolded when people descending from a footbridge slipped, causing a domino effect. At that moment, the Patna-bound Magadh Express was at platform 14, while the New Delhi-Jammu Uttar Sampark Kranti Express was at platform 15.
Will the New Measures Prevent Future Disasters?
With lakhs of devotees still en route to Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh, authorities face an uphill battle to ensure safety and order at India’s busiest railway stations.
The real challenge will be enforcing these new safety protocols while managing massive crowds in a high-pressure environment. The next few weeks will be critical in determining whether these reforms are enough to prevent another tragedy.
