Indian Bureaucracy, New Delhi, February 18, 2025| In response to a stampede at New Delhi Railway Station that left 18 dead and several injured, Indian Railways has announced the creation of holding areas at 60 high-traffic stations across the country. The move aims to regulate passenger movement and prevent overcrowding, particularly during peak travel periods.
Crowd Control Measures
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that both temporary and permanent holding zones will be set up outside platforms to manage passenger entry based on train departure schedules. This system has been successfully implemented in Prayagraj during the Maha Kumbh festival. Key stations identified for the initiative include New Delhi, Patna, Surat, Bengaluru, and Coimbatore.
The Railways will also introduce a crowd management manual consolidating existing protocols and will develop a standard operating procedure for handling surges during festivals and special events.
Stampede Investigation and Response
The stampede occurred on February 15 when a sudden crowd surge on a footbridge between platforms 14 and 15 resulted in multiple fatalities. Reports indicate confusion over platform changes contributed to the incident. The victims included 14 women and three children.
A high-level inquiry has been ordered, and ₹10 lakh ex-gratia compensation has been announced for the families of the deceased. The Railways has stated that no immediate disciplinary action will be taken against officials until the investigation report is completed.
Additional Crowd Management Steps
To facilitate smoother passenger movement, platform ticket sales at New Delhi Railway Station will be halted daily from 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM for the next week. A special campaign will also be conducted across all Delhi railway stations to assess infrastructure and crowd control measures, with feedback collected from passengers, vendors, law enforcement, and railway staff.
Meanwhile, the Railways has increased train operations from Prayagraj, deploying 360 trains, including 190 special services, to accommodate devotees returning from the Maha Kumbh. Passenger information is being disseminated via station announcements, social media, and real-time updates.
These measures aim to prevent overcrowding-related incidents and improve passenger safety across India’s busiest railway stations.
