New Delhi Railway Station Stampede: 18 Dead, 15 Injured; Railway Ministry Announces Safety Measures

On the night of February 15, 2025, a deadly stampede occurred at the New Delhi Railway Station (NDLS), resulting in 18 fatalities and 15 injuries. The tragedy, which occurred on platforms 12 and 14, was linked to a sudden surge in the crowd of passengers waiting to board trains bound for Prayagraj, where the ongoing Maha Kumbh was drawing large numbers of devotees. In this article, we provide a detailed overview of the incident, the response from authorities, and the steps taken by the Railway Ministry to prevent such occurrences in the future.

Incident Overview

The stampede took place in the late hours of February 15, as passengers flocked to the station to board trains to Prayagraj, which is experiencing a heavy influx of pilgrims due to the Maha Kumbh festival. This religious event is one of the largest in the world, with millions of people gathering at the city for the holy bath in the river Ganges.

According to initial police investigations, the stampede was triggered by confusion among passengers, who mistook two trains—the ‘Prayagraj Express’ and the ‘Prayagraj Special’—for the same train. Due to the overcrowding, many passengers feared they would miss their train, leading to the unfortunate incident.

Casualties and Injuries

The stampede resulted in the loss of 18 lives, with victims spanning a wide range of ages. Among the deceased were:

• Three young girls aged seven, eight, and fifteen.
• A 24-year-old woman.
• Nine women between the ages of 35 and 45.
• One elderly woman, aged 70.
• A 12-year-old boy.
• A 25-year-old man.
• Two men aged 45 and 47.

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Additionally, 15 people were injured, nine of whom were males, and six females. Out of the injured, three suffered grievous injuries, while the remaining 12 had relatively minor injuries.

Root Cause of the Incident

The incident was primarily caused by the confusion over the two similar-sounding trains, which resulted in a crowd panic. There were multiple delays for trains heading to Prayagraj, exacerbating the overcrowding situation. The situation became further critical when passengers, fearing they would miss their train, rushed towards the platforms in a state of panic.

Railway Ministry’s Immediate Response

Following the tragic incident, the Railway Ministry has taken immediate action to prevent future mishaps and to help ease the burden on the stations during peak travel times:

1. Special Trains to Prayagraj: To facilitate the smooth travel of pilgrims, the Northern Railway has decided to operate four special trains to Prayagraj. These trains will help ease the extra rush caused by the increased passenger demand due to the ongoing Maha Kumbh.
2. Platform Re-Arrangement: To reduce congestion and confusion, all special trains to Prayagraj will now operate from platform number 16 at the New Delhi station. Passengers traveling to Prayagraj will be directed to approach the station via the Ajmeri Gate side to avoid overcrowding on other platforms.
3. Increased Security and Surveillance: The Railway Police Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) have increased their deployment at key railway stations. These personnel will guide passengers, helping them to reach their designated platforms without confusion.
4. Improved Communication: The Railway Ministry has emphasized that passengers should avoid listening to rumors and misinformation. Travelers are encouraged to reach out to the helpline number 139 for inquiries and support.

Political Reactions

The stampede has drawn criticism from various political figures, including Congress leader Pawan Kumar Bansal, who served as Railway Minister during the UPA II government. Bansal stated that the Railway Minister holds ultimate responsibility for the incident and cannot escape accountability. He criticized the government for failing to anticipate the surge in passengers due to the Maha Kumbh and other events, emphasizing the need for better planning and advance arrangements to avoid such tragedies.

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Bansal expressed concern over the lack of sufficient preparation at New Delhi Railway Station, which he described as the most prestigious railway station in the country. He argued that events like the Maha Kumbh and Chhath Pooja require careful, proactive management of passenger flow.

Measures for the Future

The Railway Ministry’s announcement of measures aims to prevent such stampedes in the future, especially during high-demand events like the Maha Kumbh. These measures include the following:

• Dedicated Platforms for Special Trains: Ensuring that all special trains, particularly those heading to high-demand destinations like Prayagraj, are assigned specific platforms to avoid congestion.
• Increased Deployment of Security Personnel: By ensuring greater presence of the Railway Police Force and GRP, authorities aim to help maintain order and prevent panic among passengers.
• Awareness and Guidance: Passengers are being urged to follow official channels of information and avoid succumbing to the chaos caused by rumors or misinformation.
• Increased Train Frequency: With the introduction of special trains and the reassignment of regular trains, authorities are attempting to alleviate the burden on existing services.

FAQs

Key Features of the Response to the Incident:

• Enhanced Security: Increased RPF and GRP forces at major railway stations.
• Special Trains: Four additional trains will run to Prayagraj to handle the increased number of pilgrims.
• Platform Re-Arrangements: Special trains will now depart from platform number 16.
• Clear Guidance for Passengers: Passengers are directed to approach the station via the Ajmeri Gate side for Prayagraj-bound trains.

Conclusion

The tragic stampede at New Delhi Railway Station serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by Indian railway authorities in managing large crowds, particularly during major religious events like the Maha Kumbh. While the Railway Ministry has taken swift action to address the situation, the incident highlights the need for more proactive planning and better crowd control measures to ensure the safety of passengers. With the introduction of special trains, increased security, and better communication strategies, authorities hope to prevent such tragedies in the future. The responsibility for maintaining passenger safety remains critical, and the public will be looking for further improvements in infrastructure and crowd management systems across major railway stations in India.